1.0.0

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release
fix(crosshair): downsample clear markers
2026-04-08 01:37:53 +02:00 · 2024-10-18 09:48:29 +00:00 · 2024-10-18 11:32:12 +02:00 · 2024-10-18 11:32:12 +02:00 · 2024-10-17 15:09:10 +00:00 · 2024-10-17 16:07:11 +02:00
420 changed files with 27699 additions and 7011 deletions
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -5,8 +5,12 @@ image: $CI_DEPENDENCY_PROXY_GROUP_IMAGE_PREFIX/python:3.11
 #commands to run in the Docker container before starting each job.
 variables:
  DOCKER_TLS_CERTDIR: ""
-  BEC_CORE_BRANCH: "main"
-  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: "main"
+  BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+    description: bec branch
+    value: main
+  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+    description: ophyd_devices branch
+    value: main
  CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH

 workflow:
@@ -43,13 +47,20 @@ stages:
  - export QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX=1

 .clone-repos: &clone-repos
+  - echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
  - git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec.git
+  - echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
  - git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/ophyd_devices.git
  - export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices

+.install-repos: &install-repos
+  - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+  - pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
+  - pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+
 .install-os-packages: &install-os-packages
  - apt-get update
-  - apt-get install -y libgl1-mesa-glx libegl1-mesa x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3
+  - apt-get install -y libgl1-mesa-glx libegl1-mesa x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
  - *install-qt-webengine-deps

 before_script:
@@ -131,10 +142,9 @@ tests:
  script:
    - *clone-repos
    - *install-os-packages
-    - pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
-    - pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+    - *install-repos
    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
-    - coverage run --source=./bec_widgets -m pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --random-order --full-trace ./tests/unit_tests
+    - coverage run --source=./bec_widgets -m pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --maxfail=2 --random-order --full-trace ./tests/unit_tests
    - coverage report
    - coverage xml
  coverage: '/(?i)total.*? (100(?:\.0+)?\%|[1-9]?\d(?:\.\d+)?\%)$/'
@@ -144,6 +154,9 @@ tests:
      coverage_report:
        coverage_format: cobertura
        path: coverage.xml
+    paths:
+      - tests/reference_failures/
+    when: always

 test-matrix:
  parallel:
@@ -154,7 +167,6 @@ test-matrix:
          - "3.12"
        QT_PCKG:
          - "pyside6"
-          - "pyqt5"
          - "pyqt6"

  stage: AdditionalTests
@@ -167,11 +179,9 @@ test-matrix:
  script:
    - *clone-repos
    - *install-os-packages
-    - pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
-    - pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+    - *install-repos
    - pip install -e .[dev,$QT_PCKG]
-    - pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests
-  allow_failure: true
+    - pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests

 end-2-end-conda:
  stage: End2End
@@ -193,10 +203,9 @@ end-2-end-conda:

    - cd ./bec
    - source ./bin/install_bec_dev.sh -t
-
-    - pip install -e ./bec_lib[dev]
-    - pip install -e ./bec_ipython_client[dev]
    - cd ../
+    - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+
    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
    - cd ./tests/end-2-end
    - pytest -v --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order
--- a/.pylintrc
+++ b/.pylintrc
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # A comma-separated list of package or module names from where C extensions may
 # be loaded. Extensions are loading into the active Python interpreter and may
 # run arbitrary code.
-extension-pkg-allow-list=PyQt5, pyqtgraph
+extension-pkg-allow-list=PyQt6, PySide6, pyqtgraph

 # A comma-separated list of package or module names from where C extensions may
 # be loaded. Extensions are loading into the active Python interpreter and may
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,176 +1,170 @@
 # CHANGELOG

-## v0.66.0 (2024-06-20)

-### Feature
+## v1.0.0 (2024-10-18)

-* feat(rpc): discover widgets automatically ([`ef25f56`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/ef25f5638032f931ceb292540ada618508bb2aed))
+### Breaking

-## v0.65.2 (2024-06-20)
+* feat!: ability to disable scatter from waveform & compatible crosshair with down sampling ([`2ab12ed`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/2ab12ed60abb995abc381d9330fdcf399796d9e5))

-### Fix
+### Bug Fixes

-* fix(pyqt): webengine must be imported before qcoreapplication ([`cbbd23a`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/cbbd23aa33095141e4c265719d176c4aa8c25996))
+* fix(crosshair): downsample clear markers ([`f9a889f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f9a889fc6d380b9e587edcb465203122ea0bffc1))

-## v0.65.1 (2024-06-20)

-### Fix
+## v0.119.0 (2024-10-17)

-* fix: prevent segfault by closing the QCoreApplication, if any ([`fa344a5`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fa344a5799b07a2d8ace63cc7010b69bc4ed6f1d))
+### Bug Fixes

-## v0.65.0 (2024-06-20)
+* fix: fix syntax due to change of api for simulated devices ([`19f4e40`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/19f4e407e00ee242973ca4c3f90e4e41a4d3e315))

-### Feature
+* fix: remove wrongly scoped test ([`a23841b`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/a23841b2553dc7162da943715d58275c7dc39ed9))

-* feat(device_input): DeviceLineEdit with QCompleter added ([`50e41ff`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/50e41ff26160ec26d77feb6d519e4dad902a9b9b))
+* fix: rename 'compact' property -> 'compact_view' ([`6982711`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6982711fea5fb8a73845ed7c0692e3ec53ef7871))

-* feat(device_combobox): DeviceInputBase and DeviceComboBox added ([`430b282`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/430b282039806e3fbc6cf98e958861a065760620))
+* fix: Alignment 1D update, make app window a main window (in .ui file) ([`0015f0e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/0015f0e2d62adc02d3ef334e1f6dbb2d0288fec6))

-### Fix
+* fix: set (Minimum, Fixed) size policy on Stop button ([`523cc43`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/523cc435725b10b7d59a4477a1aaa24a1f3e37a2))

-* fix(device_input_base): bug with setting config and overwriting default device and filter ([`d79f7e9`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/d79f7e9ccde03dc77819ca556c79736d30f7821a))
+### Features

-### Test
+* feat: new PositionerGroup widget ([`af9655d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/af9655de0c541092437accfbaa779628a2f48ccb))

-* test(device_input): tests added ([`1a0a98a`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/1a0a98a45367db414bed813bbd346b3e1ae8d550))
+* feat: add 'expand_popup' property to CompactPopupWidget

-## v0.64.2 (2024-06-19)
+This property tells if expand should show a popup (by default), or
+if the widget should expand in-place ([`e4121a0`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/e4121a01cb6b8d496e630cd43bc642b994b8f310))

-### Fix
+* feat: PositionerBox with a popup view ([`2615787`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/261578796f1de8ca9cab9b91659bc1484f7aa89d))

-* fix(client_utils): added close rpc command to shutdown of gui from bec_ipython_client ([`e5a7d47`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/e5a7d47b21cbf066f740f1d11d7c9ea7c70f3080))
+* feat: emit 'device_selected' and 'scan_axis' from scan control widget ([`0b9b1a3`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/0b9b1a3c89a98505079f7d4078915b7bbfaa1e23))

-## v0.64.1 (2024-06-19)
+* feat: new 'device_selected' signals to ScanControl, ScanGroupBox, DeviceLineEdit ([`9801d27`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/9801d2769eb0ee95c94ec0c011e1dac1407142ae))

-### Fix
+### Refactoring

-* fix(widgets): removed widget module import of sub widgets ([`216511b`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/216511b951ff0e15b6d7c70133095f3ac45c23f4))
+* refactor: redesign of scan selection and scan control boxes ([`a69d287`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/a69d2870e2b3539739781d741b27b8599c0f4abd))

-### Refactor
+* refactor: move add/remove bundle to scan group box ([`e3d0a7b`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/e3d0a7bbf9918dc16eb7227a178c310256ce570d))

-* refactor(utils): moved get_rpc_widgets to plugin_utils ([`6dabbf8`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6dabbf874fbbdde89c34a7885bf95aa9c895a28b))

-### Test
-
-* test: moved rpc_classes test ([`b3575eb`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b3575eb06852b456cde915dfda281a3e778e3aeb))
-
-## v0.64.0 (2024-06-19)
-
-### Ci
-
-* ci: add job optional dependency check ([`27426ce`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/27426ce7a52b4cbad7f3bef114d6efe6ad73bd7f))
+## v0.118.0 (2024-10-13)

 ### Documentation

-* docs: fix links in developer section ([`9e16f2f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/9e16f2faf9c59a5d36ae878512c5a910cca31e69))
+* docs(sphinx-build): adjusted pyside verion ([`b236951`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b23695167ab969f754a058ffdccca2b40f00a008))

-* docs: refactor developer section, add widget tutorial ([`2a36d93`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/2a36d9364f242bf42e4cda4b50e6f46aa3833bbd))
+### Features

-### Feature
+* feat(image): image widget can take data from monitor_1d endpoint ([`9ef1d1c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/9ef1d1c9ac2178d9fa2e655942208f8abbdf5c1b))

-* feat: add option to change size of the fonts ([`ea805d1`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/ea805d1362fc084d3b703b6f81b0180072f0825d))

-### Fix
+## v0.117.1 (2024-10-11)

-* fix(plot_base): font size is set with setScale which is scaling the whole legend window ([`5d66720`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/5d6672069ea1cbceb62104f66c127e4e3c23e4a4))
+### Bug Fixes

-### Test
-
-* test: add tests ([`140ad83`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/140ad83380808928edf7953e23c762ab72a0a1e9))
-
-## v0.63.2 (2024-06-14)
-
-### Fix
-
-* fix: do not import &#34;server&#34; in client, prevents from having trouble with QApplication creation order
-
-Like with QtWebEngine ([`6f96498`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6f96498de66358b89f3a2035627eed2e02dde5a1))
+* fix(FPS): qtimer cleanup leaking ([`3a22392`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/3a2239278075de7489ad10a58c31d7d89715e221))

 ### Unknown

-* Reapply &#34;feat: implement non-polling, interruptible waiting of gui instruction response with timeout&#34;
+* feature(vscode): added support for vscode instructions ([`f5f1f6c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f5f1f6c304b890dc162e8653005233bce4ea82e4))

-This reverts commit fe04dd80e59a0e74f7fdea603e0642707ecc7c2a. ([`836b6e6`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/836b6e64f694916d6b6f909dedf11a4a6d2c86a4))
+* feature(vscode): support for controlling vscode from widgets ([`9238679`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/923867947f62db026ac0378c30ef62c883596058))

-## v0.63.1 (2024-06-13)

-### Fix
+## v0.117.0 (2024-10-11)

-* fix: just terminate the remote process in close() instead of communicating
+### Features

-The proper finalization sequence will be executed by the remote process
-on SIGTERM ([`9263f8e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/9263f8ef5c17ae7a007a1a564baf787b39061756))
-
-## v0.63.0 (2024-06-13)
-
-### Documentation
-
-* docs: add documentation ([`bc709c4`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/bc709c4184c985d4e721f9ea7d1b3dad5e9153a7))
-
-### Feature
-
-* feat: add textbox widget ([`d9d4e3c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/d9d4e3c9bf73ab2a5629c2867b50fc91e69489ec))
-
-### Refactor
-
-* refactor: add pydantic config, add change_theme ([`6b8432f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6b8432f5b20a71175a3537b5f6832b76e3b67d73))
-
-### Test
-
-* test: add test for text box ([`b49462a`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b49462abeb186e56bac79d2ef0b0add1ef28a1a5))
+* feat(utils): FPS counter utility based on the viewBox updates, integrated to waveform and image widget ([`8c5ef26`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/8c5ef268430d5243ac05fcbbdb6b76ad24ac5735))

 ### Unknown

-* Revert &#34;feat: implement non-polling, interruptible waiting of gui instruction response with timeout&#34;
+* tests(plot_base): tests extended ([`8dc892d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/8dc892df0a47ccbdd812555b7c5775a455a23ede))

-This reverts commit abc6caa2d0b6141dfbe1f3d025f78ae14deddcb3 ([`fe04dd8`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fe04dd80e59a0e74f7fdea603e0642707ecc7c2a))

-## v0.62.0 (2024-06-12)
+## v0.116.0 (2024-10-11)

-### Feature
+### Build System

-* feat: implement non-polling, interruptible waiting of gui instruction response with timeout ([`abc6caa`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/abc6caa2d0b6141dfbe1f3d025f78ae14deddcb3))
+* build: fix PySide6 to 6.7.2 ([`908dbc1`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/908dbc1760da5b323722207163f00850b84fb90b))
+
+### Features
+
+* feat: UI changes to have top toolbar with compact popup widgets (fix issue #360) ([`499b6b9`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/499b6b9a12efd931b5728b519404c41a7e29e4d6))
+
+* feat: adapt BECQueue and BECStatusBox widgets to use CompactPopupWidget ([`94ce92f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/94ce92f5b054d25ea3bb7976c1f75e14b78b9edc))
+
+* feat: add 'CompactPopupWidget' container widget
+
+Makes it easy to write widgets which can have a compact
+representation with LED-like global state indicator,
+with the possibility to display a popup dialog with more
+complete UI ([`49268e3`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/49268e3829406d70b09e4d88989812f5578e46f4))
+
+
+## v0.115.0 (2024-10-08)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* fix: make Alignment1D a MainWindow as it is an application ([`c5e9ed6`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/c5e9ed6e422acb908e1ada32822f5d7cc256ade7))
+
+* fix: adjust bec_qthemes dependency ([`b207e45`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b207e45a67818ee061272ce00a09fe7ea31cd1ba))
+
+### Features
+
+* feat: add bec-app script to launch applications ([`8bf4842`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/8bf48427884338672a8e3de3deb20439b0bfdf99))
+
+
+## v0.114.0 (2024-10-02)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* fix: prevent exception when empty string updates are coming from widget ([`04cfb1e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/04cfb1edf19437d54f07b868bcf3cfc2a35fd3bc))
+
+* fix: use new 'scan_axis' signal, to set_x and select x axis on waveform
+
+Fixes #361, do not try to change x axis when not permitted ([`efa2763`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/efa276358b0f5a45cce9fa84fa5f9aafaf4284f7))
+
+### Features
+
+* feat: new 'scan_axis' signal
+
+Signal is emitted before "scan_started", to inform about scan positioner
+and (start, stop) positions. In case of multiple bundles, the signal
+is emitted multiple times. ([`f084e25`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f084e2514bc9459cccaa951b79044bc25884e738))
+
+
+## v0.113.0 (2024-10-02)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* fix: add is_log checks and functionality to plot_indicator_items ([`0f9953e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/0f9953e8fdcf3f9b5a09f994c69edb6b34756df9))
+
+### Features
+
+* feat: add first draft for alignment_1d GUI ([`63c24f9`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/63c24f97a355edaa928b6e222909252b276bcada))
+
+* feat: add move to position button to lmfit dialog ([`281cb27`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/281cb27d8b5433e27a7ba0ca0a19e4b45b9c544f))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+* refactor: various minor improvements for the alignment gui ([`f554f3c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f554f3c1672c4fe32968a5991dc98802556a6f3b))
+
+* refactor: allow hiding of arg/kwarg boxes ([`efe90eb`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/efe90eb163e2123a5b4d0bb59f66025a569336ad))
+
+* refactor: add proxy to waveform to limit the dap_request frequency ([`5c74037`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/5c740371d86d9b1b341bc3c4d8bdf62027aa089b))
+
+* refactor: update dap_model also if x and y axis are selected ([`28ee385`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/28ee3856be2c47a63182b16454ece37a0ec04811))
+
+* refactor: linear_region_selector accepts log_x data ([`7cc0726`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/7cc07263982a171744ff87adb10ea77585764b71))
+
+* refactor: use accent colors for bec_status_box icons; closes #338 ([`e039304`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/e039304fd3ee03dc4a3fa22a69c207139e0c0d28))
+
+### Testing
+
+* test: add tests for scan_status_callback ([`dc0c825`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/dc0c825fd594c093a24543ff803d6c6564010e92))

 ### Unknown

-* doc: add documentation about creating custom GUI applications embedding BEC Widgets ([`17a0068`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/17a00687579f5efab1990cd83862ec0e78198633))
-
-## v0.61.0 (2024-06-12)
-
-### Feature
-
-* feat(widgets/stop_button): General stop button added ([`61ba08d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/61ba08d0b8df9f48f5c54c7c2b4e6d395206e7e6))
-
-### Refactor
-
-* refactor: improve labe of auto_update script ([`40b5688`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/40b568815893cd41af3531bb2e647ca1e2e315f4))
-
-## v0.60.0 (2024-06-08)
-
-### Ci
-
-* ci: added git fetch for target branch ([`fc4f4f8`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fc4f4f81ad1be99cf5112f2188a46c5bed2679ee))
-
-* ci: fixed pylint-check ([`6b1d582`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6b1d5827d6599f06a3acd316060a8d25f0686d54))
-
-### Feature
-
-* feat: added isort to bw-generate-cli ([`f0391f5`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f0391f59c9eb0a51b693fccfe2e399e869d35dda))
-
-### Fix
-
-* fix: removed BECConnector from rpc client interface ([`6428e38`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6428e38ab94c15a2c904e75cc6404bb6d0394e04))
-
-* fix: added bec_ipython_client as dependency; needed for jupyter widget ([`006a089`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/006a0894b85cba3b2773737ed6fe3e92c81cdee0))
-
-### Refactor
-
-* refactor: minor cleanup ([`3adf6cf`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/3adf6cfd586355c8b8ce7fdc9722f868e22287c5))
-
-* refactor: disabled pylint for auto-gen client ([`b15816c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b15816ca9fd3e4ae87cca5fcfe029b4dfca570ca))
-
-* refactor(isort): added bec_widgets as known first party package ([`9c5a471`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/9c5a471234ed2928e4527b079436db2a807c5f6f))
-
-### Test
-
-* test: added missing pylint statement to header ([`f662985`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f6629852ebc2b4ee239fa560cc310a5ae2627cf7))
+* feat : Add bec_signal_proxy to handle signals with option to unblock them manually. ([`1dcfeb6`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/1dcfeb6cfce3c69f0c5401731d4d3f9a1981b22e))
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ cd bec_widgets
 pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
 ```

-BEC Widgets currently supports both PyQt5 and PyQt6, however, no default distribution is specified. As a result, users must install one of the supported
+BEC Widgets currently supports both Pyside6 and PyQt6, however, no default distribution is specified. As a result, users must install one of the supported
 Python Qt distributions manually.

 To select a specific Python Qt distribution, install the package with an additional tag:
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ pip install bec_widgets[pyqt6]
 or 

 ```bash
-pip install bec_widgets[pyqt5]
+pip install bec_widgets[pyside6]
 ```
 ## Documentation

--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/stop_button/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/stop_button/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_combobox/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_combobox/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_line_edit/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_line_edit/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+""" This module contains the GUI for the 1D alignment application.
+It is a preliminary version of the GUI, which will be added to the main branch and steadily updated to be improved.
+"""
+
+import os
+from typing import Optional
+
+from bec_lib.device import Positioner as BECPositioner
+from bec_lib.device import Signal as BECSignal
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Signal
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QMainWindow,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSpinBox,
+)
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import WidgetAction
+from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
+from bec_widgets.widgets.device_line_edit.device_line_edit import DeviceLineEdit
+from bec_widgets.widgets.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog import LMFitDialog
+from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_group.positioner_group import PositionerGroup
+from bec_widgets.widgets.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.toggle.toggle import ToggleSwitch
+from bec_widgets.widgets.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class Alignment1D:
+    """Alignment GUI to perform 1D scans"""
+
+    def __init__(self, client=None, gui_id: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+        """Initialization
+
+        Args:
+            config: Configuration of the application.
+            client: BEC client object.
+            gui_id: GUI ID.
+        """
+        self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
+        self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
+        QApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(self.close)
+        self.dev = self.client.device_manager.devices
+
+        self._accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self.ui_file = "alignment_1d.ui"
+        self.ui = None
+        self.progress_bar = None
+        self.waveform = None
+        self.init_ui()
+
+    def init_ui(self):
+        """Initialise the UI from QT Designer file"""
+        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+        self.ui = UILoader(None).loader(os.path.join(current_path, self.ui_file))
+        # Customize the plotting widget
+        self.waveform = self.ui.findChild(BECWaveformWidget, "bec_waveform_widget")
+        self._customise_bec_waveform_widget()
+        # Setup comboboxes for motor and signal selection
+        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
+        self._setup_signal_combobox()
+        # Setup motor indicator
+        self._setup_motor_indicator()
+        # Setup progress bar
+        self._setup_progress_bar()
+        # Add actions buttons
+        self._customise_buttons()
+        # Hook scaninfo updates
+        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.scan_status_callback, MessageEndpoints.scan_status())
+
+    def show(self):
+        return self.ui.show()
+
+    ##############################
+    ############ SLOTS ###########
+    ##############################
+
+    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    def scan_status_callback(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
+        """This slot allows to enable/disable the UI critical components when a scan is running"""
+        if content["status"] in ["open"]:
+            self.enable_ui(False)
+        elif content["status"] in ["aborted", "halted", "closed"]:
+            self.enable_ui(True)
+
+    @Slot(tuple)
+    def move_to_center(self, move_request: tuple) -> None:
+        """Move the selected motor to the center"""
+        motor = self.ui.device_combobox.currentText()
+        if move_request[0] in ["center", "center1", "center2"]:
+            pos = move_request[1]
+        self.dev.get(motor).move(float(pos), relative=False)
+
+    @Slot()
+    def reset_progress_bar(self) -> None:
+        """Reset the progress bar"""
+        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
+        self.progress_bar.set_minimum(0)
+
+    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    def update_progress_bar(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
+        """Hook to update the progress bar
+
+        Args:
+            content: Content of the scan progress message.
+            metadata: Metadata of the message.
+        """
+        if content["max_value"] == 0:
+            self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
+            return
+        self.progress_bar.set_maximum(content["max_value"])
+        self.progress_bar.set_value(content["value"])
+
+    @Slot()
+    def clear_queue(self) -> None:
+        """Clear the scan queue"""
+        self.queue.request_queue_reset()
+
+    ##############################
+    ######## END OF SLOTS ########
+    ##############################
+
+    def enable_ui(self, enable: bool) -> None:
+        """Enable or disable the UI components"""
+        # Enable/disable motor and signal selection
+        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setEnabled(enable)
+        # Enable/disable DAP selection
+        self.ui.dap_combo_box.setEnabled(enable)
+        # Enable/disable Scan Button
+        # self.ui.scan_button.setEnabled(enable)
+        # Disable move to buttons in LMFitDialog
+        self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog).set_actions_enabled(enable)
+
+    def _customise_buttons(self) -> None:
+        """Add action buttons for the Action Control.
+        In addition, we are adding a callback to also clear the queue to the stop button
+        to ensure that upon clicking the button, no scans from another client may be queued
+        which would be confusing without the queue widget.
+        """
+        fit_dialog = self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog)
+        fit_dialog.active_action_list = ["center", "center1", "center2"]
+        fit_dialog.move_action.connect(self.move_to_center)
+        stop_button = self.ui.findChild(StopButton)
+        stop_button.button.setText("Stop and Clear Queue")
+        stop_button.button.clicked.connect(self.clear_queue)
+
+    def _customise_bec_waveform_widget(self) -> None:
+        """Customise the BEC Waveform Widget, i.e. clear the toolbar"""
+        self.waveform.toolbar.clear()
+
+    def _setup_motor_indicator(self) -> None:
+        """Setup the arrow item"""
+        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.add_to_plot()
+        positioner_box = self.ui.findChild(PositionerGroup)
+        positioner_box.position_update.connect(self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position)
+        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position(0)
+
+    def _setup_signal_combobox(self) -> None:
+        """Setup signal selection"""
+        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
+        signals = [name for name in self.dev if isinstance(self.dev.get(name), BECSignal)]
+        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setCurrentText(signals[0])
+        self.ui.device_combobox_2.set_device_filter("Signal")
+
+    def _setup_progress_bar(self) -> None:
+        """Setup progress bar"""
+        # FIXME once the BECScanProgressBar is implemented
+        self.progress_bar = self.ui.findChild(BECProgressBar, "bec_progress_bar")
+        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
+        self.ui.bec_waveform_widget.new_scan.connect(self.reset_progress_bar)
+        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.update_progress_bar, MessageEndpoints.scan_progress())
+
+    def close(self):
+        logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(self.bec_dispatcher))
+        self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_all()
+        logger.info("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(self.client))
+        self.client.shutdown()
+
+
+def main():
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    icon = QIcon()
+    icon.addFile(
+        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "alignment_1d.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
+    )
+    app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+    window = Alignment1D()
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.ui
+++ b/bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.ui
@@ -0,0 +1,639 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<ui version="4.0">
+ <class>mainWindow</class>
+ <widget class="QMainWindow" name="mainWindow">
+  <property name="geometry">
+   <rect>
+    <x>0</x>
+    <y>0</y>
+    <width>1611</width>
+    <height>1019</height>
+   </rect>
+  </property>
+  <property name="windowTitle">
+   <string>Alignment tool</string>
+  </property>
+  <widget class="QWidget" name="widget">
+   <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
+    <item>
+     <widget class="QWidget" name="widget" native="true">
+      <property name="sizePolicy">
+       <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Fixed">
+        <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+        <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+       </sizepolicy>
+      </property>
+      <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_5">
+       <item>
+        <widget class="DarkModeButton" name="dark_mode_button"/>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_6">
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+          <size>
+           <width>40</width>
+           <height>20</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </spacer>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="BECStatusBox" name="bec_status_box">
+         <property name="compact_view" stdset="0">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="label" stdset="0">
+          <string>BEC Servers</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_3">
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+          <size>
+           <width>40</width>
+           <height>20</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </spacer>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="BECQueue" name="bec_queue">
+         <property name="compact_view" stdset="0">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_5">
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+          <size>
+           <width>40</width>
+           <height>20</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </spacer>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioButton">
+         <property name="enabled">
+          <bool>false</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>SLS Light On</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="checkable">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="checked">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="autoExclusive">
+          <bool>false</bool>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_7">
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+          <size>
+           <width>40</width>
+           <height>20</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </spacer>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioButton_3">
+         <property name="enabled">
+          <bool>false</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>BEAMLINE Checks</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="checkable">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="checked">
+          <bool>true</bool>
+         </property>
+         <property name="autoExclusive">
+          <bool>false</bool>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_4">
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+          <size>
+           <width>40</width>
+           <height>20</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </spacer>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="StopButton" name="stop_button">
+         <property name="sizePolicy">
+          <sizepolicy hsizetype="MinimumExpanding" vsizetype="MinimumExpanding">
+           <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+           <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+          </sizepolicy>
+         </property>
+         <property name="minimumSize">
+          <size>
+           <width>200</width>
+           <height>40</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+         <property name="maximumSize">
+          <size>
+           <width>200</width>
+           <height>40</height>
+          </size>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+      </layout>
+     </widget>
+    </item>
+    <item>
+     <widget class="BECProgressBar" name="bec_progress_bar">
+      <property name="minimumSize">
+       <size>
+        <width>0</width>
+        <height>25</height>
+       </size>
+      </property>
+      <property name="maximumSize">
+       <size>
+        <width>16777215</width>
+        <height>25</height>
+       </size>
+      </property>
+     </widget>
+    </item>
+    <item>
+     <widget class="QTabWidget" name="tabWidget">
+      <property name="sizePolicy">
+       <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
+        <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+        <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+       </sizepolicy>
+      </property>
+      <property name="currentIndex">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <widget class="QWidget" name="ControlTab">
+       <attribute name="title">
+        <string>Alignment Control</string>
+       </attribute>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_6">
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_4" native="true">
+          <property name="sizePolicy">
+           <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
+            <horstretch>1</horstretch>
+            <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+           </sizepolicy>
+          </property>
+          <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_3">
+           <item>
+            <widget class="ScanControl" name="scan_control">
+             <property name="sizePolicy">
+              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Fixed">
+               <horstretch>1</horstretch>
+               <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+              </sizepolicy>
+             </property>
+             <property name="minimumSize">
+              <size>
+               <width>0</width>
+               <height>0</height>
+              </size>
+             </property>
+             <property name="current_scan" stdset="0">
+              <string>line_scan</string>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_arg_box" stdset="0">
+              <bool>false</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_kwarg_boxes" stdset="0">
+              <bool>false</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_scan_control_buttons" stdset="0">
+              <bool>false</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_scan_selection_combobox" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_add_remove_buttons" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_args_group" stdset="0">
+              <bool>false</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_kwargs_group" stdset="0">
+              <bool>false</bool>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+           <item>
+            <widget class="PositionerGroup" name="positioner_group"/>
+           </item>
+           <item>
+            <spacer name="verticalSpacer">
+             <property name="orientation">
+              <enum>Qt::Orientation::Vertical</enum>
+             </property>
+             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+              <size>
+               <width>20</width>
+               <height>40</height>
+              </size>
+             </property>
+            </spacer>
+           </item>
+          </layout>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_3" native="true">
+          <property name="sizePolicy">
+           <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
+            <horstretch>4</horstretch>
+            <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+           </sizepolicy>
+          </property>
+          <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
+           <item>
+            <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_2" native="true">
+             <property name="sizePolicy">
+              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Fixed">
+               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+               <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+              </sizepolicy>
+             </property>
+             <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_3">
+              <item>
+               <widget class="QLabel" name="label_2">
+                <property name="font">
+                 <font/>
+                </property>
+                <property name="text">
+                 <string>Monitor</string>
+                </property>
+               </widget>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <widget class="DeviceComboBox" name="device_combobox_2"/>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <widget class="QLabel" name="label_3">
+                <property name="font">
+                 <font/>
+                </property>
+                <property name="text">
+                 <string>LMFit Model</string>
+                </property>
+               </widget>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <widget class="DapComboBox" name="dap_combo_box"/>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
+                <property name="text">
+                 <string>Enable ROI</string>
+                </property>
+               </widget>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="toggle_switch">
+                <property name="sizePolicy">
+                 <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
+                  <horstretch>3</horstretch>
+                  <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+                 </sizepolicy>
+                </property>
+                <property name="toolTip">
+                 <string>Activate linear region select for LMFit</string>
+                </property>
+                <property name="layoutDirection">
+                 <enum>Qt::LayoutDirection::LeftToRight</enum>
+                </property>
+                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                 <bool>false</bool>
+                </property>
+               </widget>
+              </item>
+              <item>
+               <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_8">
+                <property name="orientation">
+                 <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+                </property>
+                <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
+                 <size>
+                  <width>40</width>
+                  <height>20</height>
+                 </size>
+                </property>
+               </spacer>
+              </item>
+             </layout>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+           <item>
+            <widget class="BECWaveformWidget" name="bec_waveform_widget">
+             <property name="sizePolicy">
+              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
+               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+               <verstretch>1</verstretch>
+              </sizepolicy>
+             </property>
+             <property name="minimumSize">
+              <size>
+               <width>600</width>
+               <height>450</height>
+              </size>
+             </property>
+             <property name="clear_curves_on_plot_update" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+           <item>
+            <widget class="LMFitDialog" name="lm_fit_dialog">
+             <property name="sizePolicy">
+              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Minimum">
+               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+               <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+              </sizepolicy>
+             </property>
+             <property name="minimumSize">
+              <size>
+               <width>0</width>
+               <height>190</height>
+              </size>
+             </property>
+             <property name="always_show_latest" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_curve_selection" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+             <property name="hide_summary" stdset="0">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+          </layout>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
+       </layout>
+      </widget>
+      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_2">
+       <attribute name="title">
+        <string>Logbook</string>
+       </attribute>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_4">
+        <property name="leftMargin">
+         <number>2</number>
+        </property>
+        <property name="topMargin">
+         <number>2</number>
+        </property>
+        <property name="rightMargin">
+         <number>2</number>
+        </property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin">
+         <number>2</number>
+        </property>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="WebsiteWidget" name="website_widget">
+          <property name="url" stdset="0">
+           <string>https://scilog.psi.ch/login</string>
+          </property>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
+       </layout>
+      </widget>
+     </widget>
+    </item>
+   </layout>
+  </widget>
+ </widget>
+ <customwidgets>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>ToggleSwitch</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>toggle_switch</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>BECWaveformWidget</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>bec_waveform_widget</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>BECStatusBox</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>bec_status_box</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>WebsiteWidget</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>website_widget</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>StopButton</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>stop_button</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>LMFitDialog</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>lm_fit_dialog</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>PositionerGroup</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>positioner_group</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>ScanControl</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>scan_control</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>BECQueue</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>bec_queue</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>BECProgressBar</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>bec_progress_bar</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>DeviceComboBox</class>
+   <extends>QComboBox</extends>
+   <header>device_combobox</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>DarkModeButton</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>dark_mode_button</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>DapComboBox</class>
+   <extends>QWidget</extends>
+   <header>dap_combo_box</header>
+  </customwidget>
+ </customwidgets>
+ <resources/>
+ <connections>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>toggle_switch</sender>
+   <signal>enabled(bool)</signal>
+   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
+   <slot>toogle_roi_select(bool)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>529</x>
+     <y>728</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>1099</x>
+     <y>96</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>bec_waveform_widget</sender>
+   <signal>dap_summary_update(QVariantMap,QVariantMap)</signal>
+   <receiver>lm_fit_dialog</receiver>
+   <slot>update_summary_tree(QVariantMap,QVariantMap)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>1099</x>
+     <y>258</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>1157</x>
+     <y>929</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>device_combobox_2</sender>
+   <signal>currentTextChanged(QString)</signal>
+   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
+   <slot>plot(QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>297</x>
+     <y>170</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>1099</x>
+     <y>201</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>device_combobox_2</sender>
+   <signal>currentTextChanged(QString)</signal>
+   <receiver>dap_combo_box</receiver>
+   <slot>select_y_axis(QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>297</x>
+     <y>170</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>467</x>
+     <y>170</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>dap_combo_box</sender>
+   <signal>new_dap_config(QString,QString,QString)</signal>
+   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
+   <slot>add_dap(QString,QString,QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>467</x>
+     <y>170</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>1099</x>
+     <y>221</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>scan_control</sender>
+   <signal>scan_axis(QString,double,double)</signal>
+   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
+   <slot>set_x(QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>244</x>
+     <y>348</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>1140</x>
+     <y>491</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>scan_control</sender>
+   <signal>scan_axis(QString,double,double)</signal>
+   <receiver>dap_combo_box</receiver>
+   <slot>select_x_axis(QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>244</x>
+     <y>322</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>909</x>
+     <y>189</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+  <connection>
+   <sender>scan_control</sender>
+   <signal>device_selected(QString)</signal>
+   <receiver>positioner_group</receiver>
+   <slot>set_positioners(QString)</slot>
+   <hints>
+    <hint type="sourcelabel">
+     <x>227</x>
+     <y>337</y>
+    </hint>
+    <hint type="destinationlabel">
+     <x>227</x>
+     <y>676</y>
+    </hint>
+   </hints>
+  </connection>
+ </connections>
+</ui>
--- a/bec_widgets/applications/bec_app.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/applications/bec_app.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+"""
+Launcher for BEC GUI Applications
+
+Application must be located in bec_widgets/applications ;
+in order for the launcher to find the application, it has to be put in
+a subdirectory with the same name as the main Python module:
+
+/bec_widgets/applications
+    ├── alignment
+    │   └── alignment_1d
+    │       └── alignment_1d.py
+    ├── other_app
+        └── other_app.py
+
+The tree above would contain 2 applications, alignment_1d and other_app.
+
+The Python module for the application must have `if __name__ == "__main__":`
+in order for the launcher to execute it (it is run with `python -m`).
+"""
+
+import argparse
+import os
+import sys
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+
+
+def find_apps(base_dir: str) -> list[str]:
+    matching_modules = []
+
+    for root, dirs, files in os.walk(base_dir):
+        parent_dir = os.path.basename(root)
+
+        for file in files:
+            if file.endswith(".py") and file != "__init__.py":
+                file_name_without_ext = os.path.splitext(file)[0]
+
+                if file_name_without_ext == parent_dir:
+                    rel_path = os.path.relpath(root, base_dir)
+                    module_path = rel_path.replace(os.sep, ".")
+
+                    module_name = f"{module_path}.{file_name_without_ext}"
+                    matching_modules.append((file_name_without_ext, module_name))
+
+    return matching_modules
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC application launcher")
+
+    parser.add_argument("-m", "--module", type=str, help="The module to run (string argument).")
+
+    # Add a positional argument for the module, which acts as a fallback if -m is not provided
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "positional_module",
+        nargs="?",  # This makes the positional argument optional
+        help="Positional argument that is treated as module if -m is not specified.",
+    )
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    # If the -m/--module is not provided, fallback to the positional argument
+    module = args.module if args.module else args.positional_module
+
+    if module:
+        for app_name, app_module in find_apps(MODULE_PATH):
+            if module in (app_name, app_module):
+                print("Starting:", app_name)
+                python_executable = sys.executable
+
+                # Replace the current process with the new Python module
+                os.execvp(
+                    python_executable,
+                    [python_executable, "-m", f"bec_widgets.applications.{app_module}"],
+                )
+        print(f"Error: cannot find application {module}")
+
+    # display list of apps
+    print("Available applications:")
+    for app, _ in find_apps(MODULE_PATH):
+        print(f"  - {app}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/BEC-General-App.png
+++ b/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/BEC-General-App.png
--- a/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/alignment_1d.png
+++ b/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/alignment_1d.png
--- a/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/bec_widgets_icon.png
+++ b/bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/bec_widgets_icon.png
--- a/bec_widgets/assets/terminal_icon.png
+++ b/bec_widgets/assets/terminal_icon.png
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations

+import threading
+from queue import Queue
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING

 from pydantic import BaseModel
@@ -25,6 +27,17 @@ class AutoUpdates:

    def __init__(self, gui: BECDockArea):
        self.gui = gui
+        self.msg_queue = Queue()
+        self.auto_update_thread = None
+        self._shutdown_sentinel = object()
+        self.start()
+
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start the auto update thread.
+        """
+        self.auto_update_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.process_queue)
+        self.auto_update_thread.start()

    def start_default_dock(self):
        """
@@ -79,6 +92,16 @@ class AutoUpdates:
        info = self.get_scan_info(msg)
        self.handler(info)

+    def process_queue(self):
+        """
+        Process the message queue.
+        """
+        while True:
+            msg = self.msg_queue.get()
+            if msg is self._shutdown_sentinel:
+                break
+            self.run(msg)
+
    @staticmethod
    def get_selected_device(monitored_devices, selected_device):
        """
@@ -151,3 +174,11 @@ class AutoUpdates:
        fig.clear_all()
        plt = fig.plot(x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}")
        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        """
+        Shutdown the auto update thread.
+        """
+        self.msg_queue.put(self._shutdown_sentinel)
+        if self.auto_update_thread:
+            self.auto_update_thread.join()
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/client.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/client.py
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py
@@ -2,19 +2,20 @@ from __future__ import annotations

 import importlib
 import importlib.metadata as imd
+import json
 import os
 import select
 import subprocess
-import sys
 import threading
 import time
 import uuid
 from functools import wraps
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING

+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import isinstance_based_on_class_name, lazy_import, lazy_import_from
-from qtpy.QtCore import QEventLoop, QSocketNotifier, QTimer

 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
@@ -22,15 +23,13 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
    from bec_lib.device import DeviceBase

-    from bec_widgets.cli.client import BECDockArea, BECFigure
-
-from bec_lib.serialization import MsgpackSerialization
-
 messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
 # from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
 MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
 BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))

+logger = bec_logger.logger
+

 def rpc_call(func):
    """
@@ -63,45 +62,67 @@ def rpc_call(func):
    return wrapper


-def _get_output(process) -> None:
+def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
+    log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.error}
+    stream_buffer = {process.stdout: [], process.stderr: []}
    try:
        os.set_blocking(process.stdout.fileno(), False)
        os.set_blocking(process.stderr.fileno(), False)
        while process.poll() is None:
            readylist, _, _ = select.select([process.stdout, process.stderr], [], [], 1)
-            if process.stdout in readylist:
-                output = process.stdout.read(1024)
+            for stream in (process.stdout, process.stderr):
+                buf = stream_buffer[stream]
+                if stream in readylist:
+                    buf.append(stream.read(4096))
+                output, _, remaining = "".join(buf).rpartition("\n")
                if output:
-                    print(output, end="")
-            if process.stderr in readylist:
-                error_output = process.stderr.read(1024)
-                if error_output:
-                    print(error_output, end="", file=sys.stderr)
+                    log_func[stream](output)
+                    buf.clear()
+                    buf.append(remaining)
    except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
+        logger.error(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")


-def _start_plot_process(gui_id, gui_class, config) -> None:
+def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger=None) -> None:
    """
    Start the plot in a new process.
+
+    Logger must be a logger object with "debug" and "error" functions,
+    or it can be left to "None" as default. None means output from the
+    process will not be captured.
    """
    # pylint: disable=subprocess-run-check
-    command = [
-        "bec-gui-server",
-        "--id",
-        gui_id,
-        "--config",
-        config,
-        "--gui_class",
-        gui_class.__name__,
-    ]
+    command = ["bec-gui-server", "--id", gui_id, "--gui_class", gui_class.__name__]
+    if config:
+        if isinstance(config, dict):
+            config = json.dumps(config)
+        command.extend(["--config", config])
+
    env_dict = os.environ.copy()
    env_dict["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
+
+    if logger is None:
+        stdout_redirect = subprocess.DEVNULL
+        stderr_redirect = subprocess.DEVNULL
+    else:
+        stdout_redirect = subprocess.PIPE
+        stderr_redirect = subprocess.PIPE
+
    process = subprocess.Popen(
-        command, text=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, env=env_dict
+        command,
+        text=True,
+        start_new_session=True,
+        stdout=stdout_redirect,
+        stderr=stderr_redirect,
+        env=env_dict,
    )
-    process_output_processing_thread = threading.Thread(target=_get_output, args=(process,))
-    process_output_processing_thread.start()
+    if logger is None:
+        process_output_processing_thread = None
+    else:
+        process_output_processing_thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=_get_output, args=(process, logger)
+        )
+        process_output_processing_thread.start()
    return process, process_output_processing_thread


@@ -113,16 +134,19 @@ class BECGuiClientMixin:
        self.auto_updates = self._get_update_script()
        self._target_endpoint = MessageEndpoints.scan_status()
        self._selected_device = None
-        self.stderr_output = []

    def _get_update_script(self) -> AutoUpdates | None:
        eps = imd.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.auto_updates")
        for ep in eps:
            if ep.name == "plugin_widgets_update":
                try:
+                    spec = importlib.util.find_spec(ep.module)
+                    # if the module is not found, we skip it
+                    if spec is None:
+                        continue
                    return ep.load()(gui=self)
                except Exception as e:
-                    print(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
+                    logger.error(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
        return None

    @property
@@ -156,7 +180,7 @@ class BECGuiClientMixin:
        if isinstance(msg, messages.ScanStatusMessage):
            if not self.gui_is_alive():
                return
-            self.auto_updates.run(msg)
+            self.auto_updates.msg_queue.put(msg)

    def show(self) -> None:
        """
@@ -165,11 +189,12 @@ class BECGuiClientMixin:
        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
            self._start_update_script()
            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
-                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.redis
+                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.config, logger=logger
            )
        while not self.gui_is_alive():
            print("Waiting for GUI to start...")
            time.sleep(1)
+        logger.success(f"GUI started with id: {self._gui_id}")

    def close(self) -> None:
        """
@@ -178,25 +203,15 @@ class BECGuiClientMixin:
        if self._process is None:
            return

-        self._run_rpc("close", (), wait_for_rpc_response=False)
-        while self.gui_is_alive():
-            time.sleep(0.2)
-
        self._client.shutdown()
        if self._process:
            self._process.terminate()
-            self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
+            if self._process_output_processing_thread:
+                self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
+            self._process.wait()
            self._process = None
-
-    def print_log(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Print the log of the plot process.
-        """
-        if self._process is None:
-            return
-        print("".join(self.stderr_output))
-        # Flush list
-        self.stderr_output.clear()
+        if self.auto_updates is not None:
+            self.auto_updates.shutdown()


 class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
@@ -208,54 +223,14 @@ class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
        )


-class QtRedisMessageWaiter:
-    def __init__(self, redis_connector, message_to_wait):
-        self.ev_loop = QEventLoop()
-        self.response = None
-        self.connector = redis_connector
-        self.message_to_wait = message_to_wait
-        self.pubsub = redis_connector._redis_conn.pubsub()
-        self.pubsub.subscribe(self.message_to_wait.endpoint)
-        fd = self.pubsub.connection._sock.fileno()
-        self.notifier = QSocketNotifier(fd, QSocketNotifier.Read)
-        self.notifier.activated.connect(self._pubsub_readable)
-
-    def _msg_received(self, msg_obj):
-        self.response = msg_obj.value
-        self.ev_loop.quit()
-
-    def wait(self, timeout=1):
-        timer = QTimer()
-        timer.singleShot(timeout * 1000, self.ev_loop.quit)
-        self.ev_loop.exec_()
-        timer.stop()
-        self.notifier.setEnabled(False)
-        self.pubsub.close()
-        return self.response
-
-    def _pubsub_readable(self, fd):
-        while True:
-            msg = self.pubsub.get_message()
-            if msg:
-                if msg["type"] == "subscribe":
-                    # get_message buffers, so we may already have the answer
-                    # let's check...
-                    continue
-                else:
-                    break
-            else:
-                return
-        channel = msg["channel"].decode()
-        msg = MessageObject(topic=channel, value=MsgpackSerialization.loads(msg["data"]))
-        self.connector._execute_callback(self._msg_received, msg, {})
-
-
 class RPCBase:
    def __init__(self, gui_id: str = None, config: dict = None, parent=None) -> None:
-        self._client = BECDispatcher().client
+        self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
        self._config = config if config is not None else {}
-        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())
+        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
        self._parent = parent
+        self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
+        self._rpc_response = None
        super().__init__()
        # print(f"RPCBase: {self._gui_id}")

@@ -299,24 +274,39 @@ class RPCBase:
        # pylint: disable=protected-access
        receiver = self._root._gui_id
        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            redis_msg = QtRedisMessageWaiter(
-                self._client.connector, MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id)
+            self._rpc_response = None
+            self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+            self._client.connector.register(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
+                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
+                parent=self,
            )

        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)

        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            response = redis_msg.wait(timeout)
-
-            if response is None:
-                raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
-
+            try:
+                finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(10)
+                if not finished:
+                    raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
+            finally:
+                self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+                self._client.connector.unregister(
+                    MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
+                )
            # get class name
-            if not response.accepted:
-                raise ValueError(response.message["error"])
-            msg_result = response.message.get("result")
+            if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
+                raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
+            msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
+            self._rpc_response = None
            return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)

+    @staticmethod
+    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+        msg = msg.value
+        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+        parent._rpc_response = msg
+
    def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
        if msg_result is None:
            return None
@@ -343,4 +333,8 @@ class RPCBase:
        Check if the GUI is alive.
        """
        heart = self._client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self._root._gui_id))
-        return heart is not None
+        if heart is None:
+            return False
+        if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
+            return True
+        return False
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py
@@ -5,12 +5,13 @@ import argparse
 import inspect
 import os
 import sys
-from typing import Literal

 import black
 import isort
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property as QtProperty

-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_rpc_classes

 if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
    from typing import get_overloads
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ else:
 class ClientGenerator:
    def __init__(self):
        self.header = """# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py\n
+from __future__ import annotations
 import enum
 from typing import Literal, Optional, overload

@@ -39,17 +41,20 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin

        self.content = ""

-    def generate_client(
-        self, published_classes: dict[Literal["connector_classes", "top_level_classes"], list[type]]
-    ):
+    def generate_client(self, class_container: BECClassContainer):
        """
        Generate the client for the published classes.

        Args:
-            published_classes(dict): A dictionary with keys "connector_classes" and "top_level_classes" and values as lists of classes.
+            class_container: The class container with the classes to generate the client for.
        """
-        self.write_client_enum(published_classes["top_level_classes"])
-        for cls in published_classes["connector_classes"]:
+        rpc_top_level_classes = class_container.rpc_top_level_classes
+        rpc_top_level_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
+        connector_classes = class_container.connector_classes
+        connector_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
+
+        self.write_client_enum(rpc_top_level_classes)
+        for cls in connector_classes:
            self.content += "\n\n"
            self.generate_content_for_class(cls)

@@ -83,12 +88,31 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):"""
        else:
            self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
+        if not cls.USER_ACCESS:
+            self.content += """...
+    """
        for method in cls.USER_ACCESS:
-            obj = getattr(cls, method)
-            if isinstance(obj, property):
-                self.content += """
+            is_property_setter = False
+            obj = getattr(cls, method, None)
+            if obj is None:
+                obj = getattr(cls, method.split(".setter")[0], None)
+                is_property_setter = True
+                method = method.split(".setter")[0]
+            if obj is None:
+                raise AttributeError(
+                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
+                )
+            if isinstance(obj, (property, QtProperty)):
+                # for the cli, we can map qt properties to regular properties
+                if is_property_setter:
+                    self.content += f"""
+    @{method}.setter
+    @rpc_call"""
+                else:
+                    self.content += """
    @property
    @rpc_call"""
+
                sig = str(inspect.signature(obj.fget))
                doc = inspect.getdoc(obj.fget)
            else:
@@ -152,12 +176,31 @@ def main():
        client_path = os.path.join(current_path, "client.py")

        rpc_classes = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
-        rpc_classes["connector_classes"].sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)

        generator = ClientGenerator()
        generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
        generator.write(client_path)

+        for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
+            plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
+            if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
+                continue
+
+            # if the class directory already has a register, plugin and pyproject file, skip
+            if os.path.exists(
+                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
+            ):
+                continue
+            if os.path.exists(
+                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
+            ):
+                continue
+            if os.path.exists(
+                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
+            ):
+                continue
+            plugin.run()
+

 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
    sys.argv = ["generate_cli.py", "--core"]
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/rpc_wigdet_handler.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/rpc_wigdet_handler.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes

        clss = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
-        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss["top_level_classes"]}
+        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.top_level_classes}

    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECConnector:
        """
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/server.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/server.py
@@ -1,29 +1,40 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import inspect
+import json
+import signal
+import sys
+from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 from typing import Union

 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
 from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer

 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import QtRedisConnector
 from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure

 messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
+logger = bec_logger.logger


 class BECWidgetsCLIServer:

    def __init__(
        self,
-        gui_id: str = None,
+        gui_id: str,
        dispatcher: BECDispatcher = None,
        client=None,
        config=None,
-        gui_class: Union["BECFigure", "BECDockArea"] = BECFigure,
+        gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea] = BECFigure,
    ) -> None:
+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.BUSY
        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=config) if dispatcher is None else dispatcher
        self.client = self.dispatcher.client if client is None else client
        self.client.start()
@@ -37,13 +48,16 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
        )

        # Setup QTimer for heartbeat
-        self._shutdown_event = False
        self._heartbeat_timer = QTimer()
        self._heartbeat_timer.timeout.connect(self.emit_heartbeat)
        self._heartbeat_timer.start(200)

+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
+        logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
+
    def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
        request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
+        logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
        try:
            obj = self.get_object_from_config(msg["parameter"])
            method = msg["action"]
@@ -51,9 +65,10 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
            kwargs = msg["parameter"].get("kwargs", {})
            res = self.run_rpc(obj, method, args, kwargs)
        except Exception as e:
-            print(e)
+            logger.error(f"Error while executing RPC instruction: {e}")
            self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": str(e)})
        else:
+            logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
            self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})

    def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
@@ -71,10 +86,15 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
        return obj

    def run_rpc(self, obj, method, args, kwargs):
+        logger.debug(f"Running RPC instruction: {method} with args: {args}, kwargs: {kwargs}")
        method_obj = getattr(obj, method)
        # check if the method accepts args and kwargs
        if not callable(method_obj):
-            res = method_obj
+            if not args:
+                res = method_obj
+            else:
+                setattr(obj, method, args[0])
+                res = None
        else:
            sig = inspect.signature(method_obj)
            if sig.parameters:
@@ -101,23 +121,64 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
        return obj

    def emit_heartbeat(self):
-        if self._shutdown_event is False:
-            self.client.connector.set(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
-                messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=1, info={}),
-                expire=1,
-            )
+        logger.trace(f"Emitting heartbeat for {self.gui_id}")
+        self.client.connector.set(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
+            messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
+            expire=10,
+        )

    def shutdown(self):  # TODO not sure if needed when cleanup is done at level of BECConnector
-        self._shutdown_event = True
+        logger.info(f"Shutting down server with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.IDLE
        self._heartbeat_timer.stop()
+        self.emit_heartbeat()
+        self.gui.close()
        self.client.shutdown()


+class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
+    def __init__(self, log_func):
+        self._log_func = log_func
+        self._buffer = []
+
+    def write(self, buffer):
+        self._buffer.append(buffer)
+
+    def flush(self):
+        lines, _, remaining = "".join(self._buffer).rpartition("\n")
+        if lines:
+            self._log_func(lines)
+        self._buffer = [remaining]
+
+    def close(self):
+        return
+
+
+def _start_server(gui_id: str, gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea], config: str | None = None):
+    if config:
+        try:
+            config = json.loads(config)
+            service_config = ServiceConfig(config=config)
+        except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+            service_config = ServiceConfig(config_path=config)
+    else:
+        # if no config is provided, use the default config
+        service_config = ServiceConfig()
+
+    # bec_logger.configure(
+    #     service_config.redis,
+    #     QtRedisConnector,
+    #     service_name="BECWidgetsCLIServer",
+    #     service_config=service_config.service_config,
+    # )
+    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class)
+    return server
+
+
 def main():
    import argparse
    import os
-    import sys

    from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
    from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
@@ -125,15 +186,11 @@ def main():

    import bec_widgets

-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    app.setApplicationName("BEC Figure")
-    module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-    icon = QIcon()
-    icon.addFile(os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "bec_widgets_icon.png"), size=QSize(48, 48))
-    app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-
-    win = QMainWindow()
-    win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
+    bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.DEBUG
+    if __name__ != "__main__":
+        # if not running as main, set the log level to critical
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.CRITICAL

    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC Widgets CLI Server")
    parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, help="The id of the server")
@@ -142,7 +199,7 @@ def main():
        type=str,
        help="Name of the gui class to be rendered. Possible values: \n- BECFigure\n- BECDockArea",
    )
-    parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, help="Config to connect to redis.")
+    parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, help="Config file or config string.")

    args = parser.parse_args()

@@ -157,16 +214,41 @@ def main():
        )
        gui_class = BECFigure

-    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=args.id, config=args.config, gui_class=gui_class)
+    with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):
+        with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):
+            app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+            app.setApplicationName("BEC Figure")
+            module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+            icon = QIcon()
+            icon.addFile(
+                os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+                size=QSize(48, 48),
+            )
+            app.setWindowIcon(icon)

-    gui = server.gui
-    win.setCentralWidget(gui)
-    win.resize(800, 600)
-    win.show()
+            win = QMainWindow()
+            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")

-    app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
-    sys.exit(app.exec())
+            server = _start_server(args.id, gui_class, args.config)
+
+            gui = server.gui
+            win.setCentralWidget(gui)
+            win.resize(800, 600)
+            win.show()
+
+            app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
+
+            def sigint_handler(*args):
+                # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
+                print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
+                app.quit()
+
+            signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
+            signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
+
+            sys.exit(app.exec())


 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    sys.argv = ["bec_widgets.cli.server", "--id", "e2860", "--gui_class", "BECDockArea"]
    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/init.py
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-from .motor_movement import (
-    MotorControlApp,
-    MotorControlMap,
-    MotorControlPanel,
-    MotorControlPanelAbsolute,
-    MotorControlPanelRelative,
-    MotorCoordinateTable,
-    MotorThread,
-)
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/general_app.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/general_app.py
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+import os
+import sys
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtGui import QActionGroup, QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QStyle
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.examples.general_app.web_links import BECWebLinksMixin
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class BECGeneralApp(QMainWindow):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super(BECGeneralApp, self).__init__(parent)
+        ui_file_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "general_app.ui")
+        self.load_ui(ui_file_path)
+
+        self.resize(1280, 720)
+
+        self.ini_ui()
+
+    def ini_ui(self):
+        self._setup_icons()
+        self._hook_menubar_docs()
+        self._hook_theme_bar()
+
+    def load_ui(self, ui_file):
+        loader = UILoader(self)
+        self.ui = loader.loader(ui_file)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.ui)
+
+    def _hook_menubar_docs(self):
+        # BEC Docs
+        self.ui.action_BEC_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_docs)
+        # BEC Widgets Docs
+        self.ui.action_BEC_widgets_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_widgets_docs)
+        # Bug report
+        self.ui.action_bug_report.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_bug_report)
+
+    def change_theme(self, theme):
+        apply_theme(theme)
+
+    def _setup_icons(self):
+        help_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxQuestion)
+        bug_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxInformation)
+        computer_icon = QIcon.fromTheme("computer")
+        widget_icon = QIcon(os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "designer_icons", "dock_area.png"))
+
+        self.ui.action_BEC_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        self.ui.action_BEC_widgets_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        self.ui.action_bug_report.setIcon(bug_icon)
+
+        self.ui.central_tab.setTabIcon(0, widget_icon)
+        self.ui.central_tab.setTabIcon(1, computer_icon)
+
+    def _hook_theme_bar(self):
+        self.ui.action_light.setCheckable(True)
+        self.ui.action_dark.setCheckable(True)
+
+        # Create an action group to make sure only one can be checked at a time
+        theme_group = QActionGroup(self)
+        theme_group.addAction(self.ui.action_light)
+        theme_group.addAction(self.ui.action_dark)
+        theme_group.setExclusive(True)
+
+        # Connect the actions to the theme change method
+
+        self.ui.action_light.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("light"))
+        self.ui.action_dark.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("dark"))
+
+        self.ui.action_dark.trigger()
+
+
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    icon = QIcon()
+    icon.addFile(
+        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "BEC-General-App.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
+    )
+    app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+    main_window = BECGeneralApp()
+    main_window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/general_app.ui
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/general_app.ui
@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<ui version="4.0">
+    <class>MainWindow</class>
+    <widget class="QMainWindow" name="MainWindow">
+        <property name="geometry">
+            <rect>
+                <x>0</x>
+                <y>0</y>
+                <width>1718</width>
+                <height>1139</height>
+            </rect>
+        </property>
+        <property name="windowTitle">
+            <string>MainWindow</string>
+        </property>
+        <property name="tabShape">
+            <enum>QTabWidget::TabShape::Rounded</enum>
+        </property>
+        <widget class="QWidget" name="centralwidget">
+            <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_3">
+                <item>
+                    <widget class="QTabWidget" name="central_tab">
+                        <property name="currentIndex">
+                            <number>0</number>
+                        </property>
+                        <widget class="QWidget" name="dock_area_tab">
+                            <attribute name="title">
+                                <string>Dock Area</string>
+                            </attribute>
+                            <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
+                                <property name="leftMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="topMargin">
+                                    <number>1</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="rightMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <item>
+                                    <widget class="BECDockArea" name="dock_area"/>
+                                </item>
+                            </layout>
+                        </widget>
+                        <widget class="QWidget" name="vscode_tab">
+                            <attribute name="icon">
+                                <iconset theme="QIcon::ThemeIcon::Computer"/>
+                            </attribute>
+                            <attribute name="title">
+                                <string>Visual Studio Code</string>
+                            </attribute>
+                            <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
+                                <property name="leftMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="topMargin">
+                                    <number>1</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="rightMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                                    <number>2</number>
+                                </property>
+                                <item>
+                                    <widget class="VSCodeEditor" name="vscode"/>
+                                </item>
+                            </layout>
+                        </widget>
+                    </widget>
+                </item>
+            </layout>
+        </widget>
+        <widget class="QMenuBar" name="menubar">
+            <property name="geometry">
+                <rect>
+                    <x>0</x>
+                    <y>0</y>
+                    <width>1718</width>
+                    <height>31</height>
+                </rect>
+            </property>
+            <widget class="QMenu" name="menuHelp">
+                <property name="title">
+                    <string>Help</string>
+                </property>
+                <addaction name="action_BEC_docs"/>
+                <addaction name="action_BEC_widgets_docs"/>
+                <addaction name="action_bug_report"/>
+            </widget>
+            <widget class="QMenu" name="menuTheme">
+                <property name="title">
+                    <string>Theme</string>
+                </property>
+                <addaction name="action_light"/>
+                <addaction name="action_dark"/>
+            </widget>
+            <addaction name="menuTheme"/>
+            <addaction name="menuHelp"/>
+        </widget>
+        <widget class="QStatusBar" name="statusbar"/>
+        <widget class="QDockWidget" name="dock_scan_control">
+            <property name="windowTitle">
+                <string>Scan Control</string>
+            </property>
+            <attribute name="dockWidgetArea">
+                <number>2</number>
+            </attribute>
+            <widget class="QWidget" name="dockWidgetContents_2">
+                <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_4">
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="ScanControl" name="scan_control"/>
+                    </item>
+                </layout>
+            </widget>
+        </widget>
+        <widget class="QDockWidget" name="dock_status_2">
+            <property name="windowTitle">
+                <string>BEC Service Status</string>
+            </property>
+            <attribute name="dockWidgetArea">
+                <number>2</number>
+            </attribute>
+            <widget class="QWidget" name="dockWidgetContents_3">
+                <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_5">
+                    <property name="leftMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="topMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="rightMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="bottomMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="BECStatusBox" name="bec_status_box_2"/>
+                    </item>
+                </layout>
+            </widget>
+        </widget>
+        <widget class="QDockWidget" name="dock_queue">
+            <property name="windowTitle">
+                <string>Scan Queue</string>
+            </property>
+            <attribute name="dockWidgetArea">
+                <number>2</number>
+            </attribute>
+            <widget class="QWidget" name="dockWidgetContents_4">
+                <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_6">
+                    <property name="leftMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="topMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="rightMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <property name="bottomMargin">
+                        <number>0</number>
+                    </property>
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="BECQueue" name="bec_queue">
+                            <row/>
+                            <column/>
+                            <column/>
+                            <column/>
+                            <item row="0" column="0"/>
+                            <item row="0" column="1"/>
+                            <item row="0" column="2"/>
+                        </widget>
+                    </item>
+                </layout>
+            </widget>
+        </widget>
+        <action name="action_BEC_docs">
+            <property name="icon">
+                <iconset theme="QIcon::ThemeIcon::DialogQuestion"/>
+            </property>
+            <property name="text">
+                <string>BEC Docs</string>
+            </property>
+        </action>
+        <action name="action_BEC_widgets_docs">
+            <property name="icon">
+                <iconset theme="QIcon::ThemeIcon::DialogQuestion"/>
+            </property>
+            <property name="text">
+                <string>BEC Widgets Docs</string>
+            </property>
+        </action>
+        <action name="action_bug_report">
+            <property name="icon">
+                <iconset theme="QIcon::ThemeIcon::DialogError"/>
+            </property>
+            <property name="text">
+                <string>Bug Report</string>
+            </property>
+        </action>
+        <action name="action_light">
+            <property name="checkable">
+                <bool>true</bool>
+            </property>
+            <property name="text">
+                <string>Light</string>
+            </property>
+        </action>
+        <action name="action_dark">
+            <property name="checkable">
+                <bool>true</bool>
+            </property>
+            <property name="text">
+                <string>Dark</string>
+            </property>
+        </action>
+    </widget>
+    <customwidgets>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>WebsiteWidget</class>
+            <extends>QWebEngineView</extends>
+            <header>website_widget</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>BECQueue</class>
+            <extends>QTableWidget</extends>
+            <header>bec_queue</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>ScanControl</class>
+            <extends>QWidget</extends>
+            <header>scan_control</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>VSCodeEditor</class>
+            <extends>WebsiteWidget</extends>
+            <header>vs_code_editor</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>BECStatusBox</class>
+            <extends>QWidget</extends>
+            <header>bec_status_box</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>BECDockArea</class>
+            <extends>QWidget</extends>
+            <header>dock_area</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>QWebEngineView</class>
+            <extends></extends>
+            <header location="global">QtWebEngineWidgets/QWebEngineView</header>
+        </customwidget>
+    </customwidgets>
+    <resources/>
+    <connections/>
+</ui>
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/web_links.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/general_app/web_links.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import webbrowser
+
+
+class BECWebLinksMixin:
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_docs():
+        webbrowser.open("https://beamline-experiment-control.readthedocs.io/en/latest/")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_widgets_docs():
+        webbrowser.open("https://bec.readthedocs.io/projects/bec-widgets/en/latest/")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_bug_report():
+        webbrowser.open("https://gitlab.psi.ch/groups/bec/-/issues/")
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py
@@ -2,33 +2,25 @@ import os

 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
-import qdarktheme
-from qtconsole.inprocess import QtInProcessKernelManager
-from qtconsole.rich_jupyter_widget import RichJupyterWidget
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QGroupBox,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QSplitter,
+    QTabWidget,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)

-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher, UILoader
+from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure
 from bec_widgets.widgets.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole

-# class JupyterConsoleWidget(RichJupyterWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
-#     def __init__(self):
-#         super().__init__()
-#
-#         self.kernel_manager = QtInProcessKernelManager()
-#         self.kernel_manager.start_kernel(show_banner=False)
-#         self.kernel_client = self.kernel_manager.client()
-#         self.kernel_client.start_channels()
-#
-#         self.kernel_manager.kernel.shell.push({"np": np, "pg": pg})
-#
-#     def shutdown_kernel(self):
-#         self.kernel_client.stop_channels()
-#         self.kernel_manager.shutdown_kernel()
-

 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
    """A widget that contains a Jupyter console linked to BEC Widgets with full API access (contains Qt and pyqtgraph API)."""
@@ -36,14 +28,8 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
    def __init__(self, parent=None):
        super().__init__(parent)

-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        self.ui = UILoader().load_ui(os.path.join(current_path, "jupyter_console_window.ui"), self)
-
        self._init_ui()

-        self.ui.splitter.setSizes([200, 100])
-        self.safe_close = False
-
        # console push
        if self.console.inprocess is True:
            self.console.kernel_manager.kernel.shell.push(
@@ -55,25 +41,49 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                    "w1": self.w1,
                    "w2": self.w2,
                    "w3": self.w3,
+                    "w4": self.w4,
+                    "w5": self.w5,
+                    "w6": self.w6,
+                    "w7": self.w7,
+                    "w8": self.w8,
+                    "w9": self.w9,
+                    "w10": self.w10,
                    "d0": self.d0,
                    "d1": self.d1,
                    "d2": self.d2,
-                    "fig0": self.fig0,
-                    "fig1": self.fig1,
-                    "fig2": self.fig2,
-                    "bar": self.bar,
+                    "wave": self.wf,
+                    # "bar": self.bar,
+                    # "cm": self.colormap,
+                    "im": self.im,
+                    "mm": self.mm,
                }
            )

    def _init_ui(self):
-        # Plotting window
-        self.glw_1_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.ui.glw)  # Create a new QVBoxLayout
-        self.figure = BECFigure(parent=self, gui_id="remote")  # Create a new BECDeviceMonitor
-        self.glw_1_layout.addWidget(self.figure)  # Add BECDeviceMonitor to the layout
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)

-        self.dock_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.ui.dock_placeholder)
-        self.dock = BECDockArea(gui_id="remote")
-        self.dock_layout.addWidget(self.dock)
+        # Horizontal splitter
+        splitter = QSplitter(self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(splitter)
+
+        tab_widget = QTabWidget(splitter)
+
+        first_tab = QWidget()
+        first_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(first_tab)
+        self.dock = BECDockArea(gui_id="dock")
+        first_tab_layout.addWidget(self.dock)
+        tab_widget.addTab(first_tab, "Dock Area")
+
+        second_tab = QWidget()
+        second_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(second_tab)
+        self.figure = BECFigure(parent=self, gui_id="figure")
+        second_tab_layout.addWidget(self.figure)
+        tab_widget.addTab(second_tab, "BEC Figure")
+
+        group_box = QGroupBox("Jupyter Console", splitter)
+        group_box_layout = QVBoxLayout(group_box)
+        self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)
+        group_box_layout.addWidget(self.console)

        # add stuff to figure
        self._init_figure()
@@ -81,51 +91,102 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
        # init dock for testing
        self._init_dock()

-        self.console_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.ui.widget_console)
-        self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)
-        self.console_layout.addWidget(self.console)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")

    def _init_figure(self):
-        self.figure.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="samy", z_name="bpm4i", color_map_z="cividis")
-        self.figure.motor_map("samx", "samy")
-        self.figure.image("eiger", color_map="viridis", vrange=(0, 100))
-        self.figure.add_plot(x_name="samx", y_name="samy", z_name="bpm4i", color_map_z="magma")
-
-        self.figure.change_layout(2, 2)
-
-        self.w1 = self.figure[0, 0]
-        self.w2 = self.figure[0, 1]
-        self.w3 = self.figure[1, 0]
-
-        # curves for w1
-        self.c1 = self.w1.get_config()
+        self.w1 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="samx",
+            y_name="bpm4i",
+            # title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
+            # x_label="Motor Position",
+            # y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
+            row=0,
+            col=0,
+        )
+        self.w1.set(
+            title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
+            x_label="Motor Position",
+            y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
+        )
+        self.w2 = self.figure.motor_map("samx", "samy", row=0, col=1)
+        self.w3 = self.figure.image(
+            "eiger", color_map="viridis", vrange=(0, 100), title="Eiger Image - w3", row=0, col=2
+        )
+        self.w4 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="samx",
+            y_name="samy",
+            z_name="bpm4i",
+            color_map_z="magma",
+            new=True,
+            title="2D scatter plot - w4",
+            row=0,
+            col=3,
+        )
+        self.w5 = self.figure.plot(
+            y_name="bpm4i",
+            new=True,
+            title="Best Effort Plot - w5",
+            dap="GaussianModel",
+            row=1,
+            col=0,
+        )
+        self.w6 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="timestamp", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Timestamp Plot - w6", row=1, col=1
+        )
+        self.w7 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="index", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Index Plot - w7", row=1, col=2
+        )
+        self.w8 = self.figure.plot(
+            y_name="monitor_async", new=True, title="Async Plot - Best Effort - w8", row=2, col=0
+        )
+        self.w9 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="timestamp",
+            y_name="monitor_async",
+            new=True,
+            title="Async Plot - timestamp - w9",
+            row=2,
+            col=1,
+        )
+        self.w10 = self.figure.plot(
+            x_name="index",
+            y_name="monitor_async",
+            new=True,
+            title="Async Plot - index - w10",
+            row=2,
+            col=2,
+        )

    def _init_dock(self):

        self.d0 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_0")
-        self.fig0 = self.d0.add_widget("BECFigure")
-        data = np.random.rand(10, 2)
-        self.fig0.plot(data, label="2d Data")
-        self.fig0.image("eiger", vrange=(0, 100))
+        self.mm = self.d0.add_widget("BECMotorMapWidget")
+        self.mm.change_motors("samx", "samy")

        self.d1 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_1", position="right")
-        self.fig1 = self.d1.add_widget("BECFigure")
-        self.fig1.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i")
-        self.fig1.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm3a")
+        self.im = self.d1.add_widget("BECImageWidget")
+        self.im.image("waveform", "1d")

        self.d2 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_2", position="bottom")
-        self.fig2 = self.d2.add_widget("BECFigure", row=0, col=0)
-        self.fig2.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i")
-        self.bar = self.d2.add_widget("SpiralProgressBar", row=0, col=1)
-        self.bar.set_diameter(200)
+        self.wf = self.d2.add_widget("BECWaveformWidget", row=0, col=0)
+        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm3a")
+        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
+        # self.bar = self.d2.add_widget("RingProgressBar", row=0, col=1)
+        # self.bar.set_diameter(200)
+
+        # self.d3 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_3", position="bottom")
+        # self.colormap = pg.GradientWidget()
+        # self.d3.add_widget(self.colormap, row=0, col=0)

        self.dock.save_state()

    def closeEvent(self, event):
        """Override to handle things when main window is closed."""
        self.dock.cleanup()
-        self.figure.clear_all()
-        self.figure.client.shutdown()
+        self.dock.close()
+        self.figure.cleanup()
+        self.figure.close()
+        self.console.close()
+
        super().closeEvent(event)


@@ -139,9 +200,8 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
    app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
    app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
-    qdarktheme.setup_theme("auto")
-    icon = QIcon()
-    icon.addFile(os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "terminal_icon.png"), size=QSize(48, 48))
+    apply_theme("dark")
+    icon = material_icon("terminal", color="#434343", filled=True)
    app.setWindowIcon(icon)

    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.ui
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.ui
@@ -1,54 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
-<ui version="4.0">
- <class>Form</class>
- <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
-  <property name="geometry">
-   <rect>
-    <x>0</x>
-    <y>0</y>
-    <width>2104</width>
-    <height>966</height>
-   </rect>
-  </property>
-  <property name="windowTitle">
-   <string>Plotting Console</string>
-  </property>
-  <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_4">
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QSplitter" name="splitter">
-     <property name="orientation">
-      <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-     </property>
-     <widget class="QTabWidget" name="tabWidget">
-      <property name="currentIndex">
-       <number>0</number>
-      </property>
-      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_1">
-       <attribute name="title">
-        <string>BECDock</string>
-       </attribute>
-       <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QWidget" name="dock_placeholder" native="true"/>
-        </item>
-       </layout>
-      </widget>
-      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_2">
-       <attribute name="title">
-        <string>BECFigure</string>
-       </attribute>
-       <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_3">
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QWidget" name="glw" native="true"/>
-        </item>
-       </layout>
-      </widget>
-     </widget>
-     <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_console" native="true"/>
-    </widget>
-   </item>
-  </layout>
- </widget>
- <resources/>
- <connections/>
-</ui>
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/init.py
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-from .motor_control_compilations import (
-    MotorControlApp,
-    MotorControlMap,
-    MotorControlPanel,
-    MotorControlPanelAbsolute,
-    MotorControlPanelRelative,
-    MotorCoordinateTable,
-    MotorThread,
-)
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/motor_control_compilations.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/motor_control_compilations.py
@@ -1,250 +0,0 @@
-# pylint: disable = no-name-in-module,missing-class-docstring, missing-module-docstring
-
-import qdarktheme
-from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QSplitter, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
-
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_control.motor_control import MotorThread
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_control.motor_table.motor_table import MotorCoordinateTable
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_control.movement_absolute.movement_absolute import (
-    MotorControlAbsolute,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_control.movement_relative.movement_relative import (
-    MotorControlRelative,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_control.selection.selection import MotorControlSelection
-
-CONFIG_DEFAULT = {
-    "motor_control": {
-        "motor_x": "samx",
-        "motor_y": "samy",
-        "step_size_x": 3,
-        "step_size_y": 3,
-        "precision": 4,
-        "step_x_y_same": False,
-        "move_with_arrows": False,
-    },
-    "plot_settings": {
-        "colormap": "Greys",
-        "scatter_size": 5,
-        "max_points": 1000,
-        "num_dim_points": 100,
-        "precision": 2,
-        "num_columns": 1,
-        "background_value": 25,
-    },
-    "motors": [
-        {
-            "plot_name": "Motor Map",
-            "x_label": "Motor X",
-            "y_label": "Motor Y",
-            "signals": {
-                "x": [{"name": "samx", "entry": "samx"}],
-                "y": [{"name": "samy", "entry": "samy"}],
-            },
-        }
-    ],
-}
-
-
-class MotorControlApp(QWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-        self.client = bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.config = config
-
-        # Widgets
-        self.motor_control_panel = MotorControlPanel(client=self.client, config=self.config)
-        # Create MotorMap
-        # self.motion_map = MotorMap(client=self.client, config=self.config)
-        # Create MotorCoordinateTable
-        self.motor_table = MotorCoordinateTable(client=self.client, config=self.config)
-
-        # Create the splitter and add MotorMap and MotorControlPanel
-        splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Horizontal)
-        # splitter.addWidget(self.motion_map)
-        splitter.addWidget(self.motor_control_panel)
-        splitter.addWidget(self.motor_table)
-
-        # Set the main layout
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.addWidget(splitter)
-        self.setLayout(layout)
-
-        # Connecting signals and slots
-        # self.motor_control_panel.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(
-        #     lambda x, y: self.motion_map.change_motors(x, y, 0)
-        # )
-        self.motor_control_panel.absolute_widget.coordinates_signal.connect(
-            self.motor_table.add_coordinate
-        )
-        self.motor_control_panel.relative_widget.precision_signal.connect(
-            self.motor_table.set_precision
-        )
-        self.motor_control_panel.relative_widget.precision_signal.connect(
-            self.motor_control_panel.absolute_widget.set_precision
-        )
-
-        # self.motor_table.plot_coordinates_signal.connect(self.motion_map.plot_saved_coordinates)
-
-
-class MotorControlMap(QWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-        self.client = bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.config = config
-
-        # Widgets
-        self.motor_control_panel = MotorControlPanel(client=self.client, config=self.config)
-        # Create MotorMap
-        # self.motion_map = MotorMap(client=self.client, config=self.config)
-
-        # Create the splitter and add MotorMap and MotorControlPanel
-        splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Horizontal)
-        # splitter.addWidget(self.motion_map)
-        splitter.addWidget(self.motor_control_panel)
-
-        # Set the main layout
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.addWidget(splitter)
-        self.setLayout(layout)
-
-        # Connecting signals and slots
-        # self.motor_control_panel.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(
-        #     lambda x, y: self.motion_map.change_motors(x, y, 0)
-        # )
-
-
-class MotorControlPanel(QWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-        self.client = bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.config = config
-
-        self.motor_thread = MotorThread(client=self.client)
-
-        self.selection_widget = MotorControlSelection(
-            client=self.client, config=self.config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-        self.relative_widget = MotorControlRelative(
-            client=self.client, config=self.config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-        self.absolute_widget = MotorControlAbsolute(
-            client=self.client, config=self.config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-
-        layout.addWidget(self.selection_widget)
-        layout.addWidget(self.relative_widget)
-        layout.addWidget(self.absolute_widget)
-
-        # Connecting signals and slots
-        self.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(self.relative_widget.change_motors)
-        self.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(self.absolute_widget.change_motors)
-
-        # Set the window to a fixed size based on its contents
-        # self.layout().setSizeConstraint(layout.SetFixedSize)
-
-
-class MotorControlPanelAbsolute(QWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-        self.client = bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.config = config
-
-        self.motor_thread = MotorThread(client=self.client)
-
-        self.selection_widget = MotorControlSelection(
-            client=client, config=config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-        self.absolute_widget = MotorControlAbsolute(
-            client=client, config=config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.addWidget(self.selection_widget)
-        layout.addWidget(self.absolute_widget)
-
-        # Connecting signals and slots
-        self.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(self.absolute_widget.change_motors)
-
-
-class MotorControlPanelRelative(QWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-        self.client = bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.config = config
-
-        self.motor_thread = MotorThread(client=self.client)
-
-        self.selection_widget = MotorControlSelection(
-            client=client, config=config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-        self.relative_widget = MotorControlRelative(
-            client=client, config=config, motor_thread=self.motor_thread
-        )
-
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.addWidget(self.selection_widget)
-        layout.addWidget(self.relative_widget)
-
-        # Connecting signals and slots
-        self.selection_widget.selected_motors_signal.connect(self.relative_widget.change_motors)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    import argparse
-    import sys
-
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Run various Motor Control Widgets compositions.")
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "-v",
-        "--variant",
-        type=str,
-        choices=["app", "map", "panel", "panel_abs", "panel_rel"],
-        help="Select the variant of the motor control to run. "
-        "'app' for the full application, "
-        "'map' for MotorMap, "
-        "'panel' for the MotorControlPanel, "
-        "'panel_abs' for MotorControlPanel with absolute control, "
-        "'panel_rel' for MotorControlPanel with relative control.",
-    )
-
-    args = parser.parse_args()
-
-    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
-    client = bec_dispatcher.client
-    client.start()
-
-    app = QApplication([])
-    qdarktheme.setup_theme("auto")
-
-    if args.variant == "app":
-        window = MotorControlApp(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-    elif args.variant == "map":
-        window = MotorControlMap(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-    elif args.variant == "panel":
-        window = MotorControlPanel(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-    elif args.variant == "panel_abs":
-        window = MotorControlPanelAbsolute(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-    elif args.variant == "panel_rel":
-        window = MotorControlPanelRelative(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-    else:
-        print("Please specify a valid variant to run. Use -h for help.")
-        print("Running the full application by default.")
-        window = MotorControlApp(client=client)  # , config=CONFIG_DEFAULT)
-
-    window.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec())
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/motor_controller.ui
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/motor_movement/motor_controller.ui
@@ -1,926 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
-<ui version="4.0">
- <class>Form</class>
- <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
-  <property name="geometry">
-   <rect>
-    <x>0</x>
-    <y>0</y>
-    <width>1561</width>
-    <height>748</height>
-   </rect>
-  </property>
-  <property name="minimumSize">
-   <size>
-    <width>1409</width>
-    <height>748</height>
-   </size>
-  </property>
-  <property name="windowTitle">
-   <string>Motor Controller</string>
-  </property>
-  <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout" stretch="8,5,8">
-   <item>
-    <widget class="GraphicsLayoutWidget" name="glw">
-     <property name="enabled">
-      <bool>true</bool>
-     </property>
-    </widget>
-   </item>
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QFrame" name="Controls">
-     <property name="minimumSize">
-      <size>
-       <width>221</width>
-       <height>471</height>
-      </size>
-     </property>
-     <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_6" stretch="1,1,1,0,1">
-      <property name="spacing">
-       <number>1</number>
-      </property>
-      <property name="sizeConstraint">
-       <enum>QLayout::SetMinimumSize</enum>
-      </property>
-      <item>
-       <widget class="QGroupBox" name="motorSelection">
-        <property name="minimumSize">
-         <size>
-          <width>261</width>
-          <height>145</height>
-         </size>
-        </property>
-        <property name="title">
-         <string>Motor Selection</string>
-        </property>
-        <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_4">
-         <item row="2" column="0">
-          <widget class="QLabel" name="label_8">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Motor Y</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="1" column="1">
-          <widget class="QComboBox" name="comboBox_motor_x"/>
-         </item>
-         <item row="2" column="1">
-          <widget class="QComboBox" name="comboBox_motor_y"/>
-         </item>
-         <item row="1" column="0">
-          <widget class="QLabel" name="label_5">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Motor X</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="3" column="0" colspan="2">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_connecMotors">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Connect Motors</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </widget>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <spacer name="verticalSpacer_3">
-        <property name="orientation">
-         <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-        </property>
-        <property name="sizeType">
-         <enum>QSizePolicy::Minimum</enum>
-        </property>
-        <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-         <size>
-          <width>20</width>
-          <height>18</height>
-         </size>
-        </property>
-       </spacer>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <widget class="QGroupBox" name="motorControl">
-        <property name="minimumSize">
-         <size>
-          <width>261</width>
-          <height>339</height>
-         </size>
-        </property>
-        <property name="title">
-         <string>Motor Relative</string>
-        </property>
-        <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_5">
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="checkBox_enableArrows">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Move with arrow keys</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="checkBox_same_xy">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Step [X] = Step [Y]</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <layout class="QGridLayout" name="step_grid">
-           <item row="2" column="0">
-            <widget class="QLabel" name="label_step_y">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>111</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Step [Y]</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="0" column="0">
-            <widget class="QLabel" name="label_2">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>111</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Decimal</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="1" column="1">
-            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_step_x">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>110</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimum">
-              <double>0.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="maximum">
-              <double>99.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="singleStep">
-              <double>0.100000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="value">
-              <double>1.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="1" column="0">
-            <widget class="QLabel" name="label_step_x">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>111</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Step [X]</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="2" column="1">
-            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_step_y">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>110</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimum">
-              <double>0.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="maximum">
-              <double>99.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="singleStep">
-              <double>0.100000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="value">
-              <double>1.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="0" column="1">
-            <widget class="QSpinBox" name="spinBox_precision">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>110</width>
-               <height>19</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-             <property name="maximum">
-              <number>8</number>
-             </property>
-             <property name="value">
-              <number>2</number>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <layout class="QGridLayout" name="direction_grid">
-           <property name="sizeConstraint">
-            <enum>QLayout::SetDefaultConstraint</enum>
-           </property>
-           <item row="1" column="2" alignment="Qt::AlignHCenter|Qt::AlignVCenter">
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="toolButton_up">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>26</width>
-               <height>26</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="arrowType">
-              <enum>Qt::UpArrow</enum>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="2" column="4">
-            <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_2">
-             <property name="orientation">
-              <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-             </property>
-             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-              <size>
-               <width>40</width>
-               <height>20</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-            </spacer>
-           </item>
-           <item row="3" column="2" alignment="Qt::AlignHCenter|Qt::AlignVCenter">
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="toolButton_down">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>26</width>
-               <height>26</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="arrowType">
-              <enum>Qt::DownArrow</enum>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="2" column="1">
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="toolButton_left">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>26</width>
-               <height>26</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="arrowType">
-              <enum>Qt::LeftArrow</enum>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="0" column="2">
-            <spacer name="verticalSpacer">
-             <property name="orientation">
-              <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-             </property>
-             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-              <size>
-               <width>20</width>
-               <height>40</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-            </spacer>
-           </item>
-           <item row="2" column="3">
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="toolButton_right">
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>26</width>
-               <height>26</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="arrowType">
-              <enum>Qt::RightArrow</enum>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="2" column="0">
-            <spacer name="horizontalSpacer">
-             <property name="orientation">
-              <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-             </property>
-             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-              <size>
-               <width>40</width>
-               <height>20</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-            </spacer>
-           </item>
-           <item row="4" column="2">
-            <spacer name="verticalSpacer_2">
-             <property name="orientation">
-              <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-             </property>
-             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-              <size>
-               <width>20</width>
-               <height>40</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-            </spacer>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </widget>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <spacer name="verticalSpacer_4">
-        <property name="orientation">
-         <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-        </property>
-        <property name="sizeType">
-         <enum>QSizePolicy::Minimum</enum>
-        </property>
-        <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-         <size>
-          <width>20</width>
-          <height>18</height>
-         </size>
-        </property>
-       </spacer>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <widget class="QGroupBox" name="motorControl_absolute">
-        <property name="minimumSize">
-         <size>
-          <width>261</width>
-          <height>195</height>
-         </size>
-        </property>
-        <property name="title">
-         <string>Move Absolute</string>
-        </property>
-        <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="checkBox_save_with_go">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Save position with Go</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_3">
-           <item row="1" column="1">
-            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_absolute_y">
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimum">
-              <double>-500.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="maximum">
-              <double>500.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="singleStep">
-              <double>0.100000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="1" column="0">
-            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_absolute_x">
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimum">
-              <double>-500.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="maximum">
-              <double>500.000000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-             <property name="singleStep">
-              <double>0.100000000000000</double>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="0" column="1">
-            <widget class="QLabel" name="label_7">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Y</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item row="0" column="0">
-            <widget class="QLabel" name="label_6">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>X</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="alignment">
-              <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_2">
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_save">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Save</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_set">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Set</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_go_absolute">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>Go</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_stop">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Stop Movement</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </widget>
-      </item>
-     </layout>
-    </widget>
-   </item>
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QTabWidget" name="tabWidget_tables">
-     <property name="enabled">
-      <bool>true</bool>
-     </property>
-     <property name="currentIndex">
-      <number>0</number>
-     </property>
-     <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_coordinates">
-      <attribute name="title">
-       <string>Coordinates</string>
-      </attribute>
-      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_3">
-       <item>
-        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_3">
-         <item>
-          <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_3">
-           <property name="orientation">
-            <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-           </property>
-           <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-            <size>
-             <width>40</width>
-             <height>20</height>
-            </size>
-           </property>
-          </spacer>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Entries Mode:</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QComboBox" name="comboBox_mode">
-           <item>
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Individual</string>
-            </property>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Start/Stop</string>
-            </property>
-           </item>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QTableWidget" name="tableWidget_coordinates">
-         <property name="selectionMode">
-          <enum>QAbstractItemView::MultiSelection</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="selectionBehavior">
-          <enum>QAbstractItemView::SelectRows</enum>
-         </property>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>Show</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>Move</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>Tag</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>X</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>Y</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
-         <item row="1" column="1">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_resize_table">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Resize Table</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="0" column="1">
-          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="checkBox_resize_auto">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Resize Auto</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="checked">
-            <bool>true</bool>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="1" column="0">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_importCSV">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Import CSV</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="0" column="0">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_exportCSV">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Export CSV</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="2" column="0">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_help">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Help</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item row="2" column="1">
-          <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_duplicate">
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Duplicate Last Entry</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </item>
-      </layout>
-     </widget>
-     <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_settings">
-      <attribute name="title">
-       <string>Settings</string>
-      </attribute>
-      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_4">
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QGroupBox" name="motorLimits">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="title">
-          <string>Motor Limits</string>
-         </property>
-         <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_2">
-          <item row="2" column="1">
-           <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_updateLimits">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Update</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="0" column="1">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_Y_max">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>+ Y</string>
-            </property>
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="4" column="1">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_Y_min">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>- Y</string>
-            </property>
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="1" column="0">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_X_min">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>- X</string>
-            </property>
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="1" column="2">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_X_max">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>+ X</string>
-            </property>
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="1" column="1">
-           <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_y_max">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <double>-1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <double>1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="3" column="1">
-           <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_y_min">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <double>-1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <double>1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="2" column="0">
-           <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_x_min">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <double>-1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <double>1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="2" column="2">
-           <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="spinBox_x_max">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <double>-1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <double>1000.000000000000000</double>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-         </layout>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QGroupBox" name="groupBox_2">
-         <property name="title">
-          <string>Plotting Options</string>
-         </property>
-         <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_5">
-          <item row="0" column="1" colspan="2">
-           <widget class="QSpinBox" name="spinBox_max_points">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <number>100</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <number>10000</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="singleStep">
-             <number>100</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="value">
-             <number>5000</number>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="0" column="0">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_15">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Max Points</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="2" column="1" colspan="2">
-           <widget class="QSpinBox" name="spinBox_scatter_size">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <number>1</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <number>15</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="value">
-             <number>5</number>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="2" column="0">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_11">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Scatter Size</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="3" column="0" colspan="3">
-           <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_update_config">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Update Settings</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="1" column="1" colspan="2">
-           <widget class="QSpinBox" name="spinBox_num_dim_points">
-            <property name="alignment">
-             <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-            </property>
-            <property name="minimum">
-             <number>10</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="maximum">
-             <number>1000</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="singleStep">
-             <number>10</number>
-            </property>
-            <property name="value">
-             <number>100</number>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="1" column="0">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="label_16">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>N dim</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item row="4" column="0" colspan="3">
-           <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_enableGUI">
-            <property name="text">
-             <string>Enable Control GUI</string>
-            </property>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-         </layout>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-      </layout>
-     </widget>
-     <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_queue">
-      <attribute name="title">
-       <string>Queue</string>
-      </attribute>
-      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_3">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Work in progress</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="alignment">
-          <set>Qt::AlignCenter</set>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushButton_5">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Reset Queue</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QTableWidget" name="tableWidget_2">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>queueID</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>scan_id</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>is_scan</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>type</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>scan_number</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-         <column>
-          <property name="text">
-           <string>IQ status</string>
-          </property>
-         </column>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-      </layout>
-     </widget>
-    </widget>
-   </item>
-  </layout>
- </widget>
- <customwidgets>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>GraphicsLayoutWidget</class>
-   <extends>QGraphicsView</extends>
-   <header>pyqtgraph.h</header>
-  </customwidget>
- </customwidgets>
- <resources/>
- <connections/>
-</ui>
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/motor_table/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/motor_table/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/main.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+"""PySide6 port of the Qt Designer taskmenuextension example from Qt v6.x"""
+
+import sys
+
+from bec_ipython_client.main import BECIPythonClient
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoe import TicTacToe
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = TicTacToe()
+    window.state = "-X-XO----"
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/registertictactoe.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/registertictactoe.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoe import TicTacToe
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoeplugin import TicTacToePlugin
+
+# Set PYSIDE_DESIGNER_PLUGINS to point to this directory and load the plugin
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(TicTacToePlugin())
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/taskmenuextension.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/taskmenuextension.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+    "files": ["tictactoe.py", "main.py", "registertictactoe.py", "tictactoeplugin.py",
+    "tictactoetaskmenu.py"]
+}
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoe.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoe.py
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QPoint, QRect, QSize, Qt, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QPainter, QPen
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+EMPTY = "-"
+CROSS = "X"
+NOUGHT = "O"
+DEFAULT_STATE = "---------"
+
+
+class TicTacToe(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._state = DEFAULT_STATE
+        self._turn_number = 0
+
+    def minimumSizeHint(self):
+        return QSize(200, 200)
+
+    def sizeHint(self):
+        return QSize(200, 200)
+
+    def setState(self, new_state):
+        self._turn_number = 0
+        self._state = DEFAULT_STATE
+        for position in range(min(9, len(new_state))):
+            mark = new_state[position]
+            if mark == CROSS or mark == NOUGHT:
+                self._turn_number += 1
+                self._change_state_at(position, mark)
+            position += 1
+        self.update()
+
+    def state(self):
+        return self._state
+
+    @Slot()
+    def clear_board(self):
+        self._state = DEFAULT_STATE
+        self._turn_number = 0
+        self.update()
+
+    def _change_state_at(self, pos, new_state):
+        self._state = self._state[:pos] + new_state + self._state[pos + 1 :]
+
+    def mousePressEvent(self, event):
+        if self._turn_number == 9:
+            self.clear_board()
+            return
+        for position in range(9):
+            cell = self._cell_rect(position)
+            if cell.contains(event.position().toPoint()):
+                if self._state[position] == EMPTY:
+                    new_state = CROSS if self._turn_number % 2 == 0 else NOUGHT
+                    self._change_state_at(position, new_state)
+                    self._turn_number += 1
+                    self.update()
+
+    def paintEvent(self, event):
+        with QPainter(self) as painter:
+            painter.setRenderHint(QPainter.Antialiasing)
+
+            painter.setPen(QPen(Qt.darkGreen, 1))
+            painter.drawLine(self._cell_width(), 0, self._cell_width(), self.height())
+            painter.drawLine(2 * self._cell_width(), 0, 2 * self._cell_width(), self.height())
+            painter.drawLine(0, self._cell_height(), self.width(), self._cell_height())
+            painter.drawLine(0, 2 * self._cell_height(), self.width(), 2 * self._cell_height())
+
+            painter.setPen(QPen(Qt.darkBlue, 2))
+
+            for position in range(9):
+                cell = self._cell_rect(position)
+                if self._state[position] == CROSS:
+                    painter.drawLine(cell.topLeft(), cell.bottomRight())
+                    painter.drawLine(cell.topRight(), cell.bottomLeft())
+                elif self._state[position] == NOUGHT:
+                    painter.drawEllipse(cell)
+
+            painter.setPen(QPen(Qt.yellow, 3))
+
+            for position in range(0, 8, 3):
+                if (
+                    self._state[position] != EMPTY
+                    and self._state[position + 1] == self._state[position]
+                    and self._state[position + 2] == self._state[position]
+                ):
+                    y = self._cell_rect(position).center().y()
+                    painter.drawLine(0, y, self.width(), y)
+                    self._turn_number = 9
+
+            for position in range(3):
+                if (
+                    self._state[position] != EMPTY
+                    and self._state[position + 3] == self._state[position]
+                    and self._state[position + 6] == self._state[position]
+                ):
+                    x = self._cell_rect(position).center().x()
+                    painter.drawLine(x, 0, x, self.height())
+                    self._turn_number = 9
+
+            if (
+                self._state[0] != EMPTY
+                and self._state[4] == self._state[0]
+                and self._state[8] == self._state[0]
+            ):
+                painter.drawLine(0, 0, self.width(), self.height())
+                self._turn_number = 9
+
+            if (
+                self._state[2] != EMPTY
+                and self._state[4] == self._state[2]
+                and self._state[6] == self._state[2]
+            ):
+                painter.drawLine(0, self.height(), self.width(), 0)
+                self._turn_number = 9
+
+    def _cell_rect(self, position):
+        h_margin = self.width() / 30
+        v_margin = self.height() / 30
+        row = int(position / 3)
+        column = position - 3 * row
+        pos = QPoint(column * self._cell_width() + h_margin, row * self._cell_height() + v_margin)
+        size = QSize(self._cell_width() - 2 * h_margin, self._cell_height() - 2 * v_margin)
+        return QRect(pos, size)
+
+    def _cell_width(self):
+        return self.width() / 3
+
+    def _cell_height(self):
+        return self.height() / 3
+
+    state = Property(str, state, setState)
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoeplugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoeplugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+import os
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoe import TicTacToe
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoetaskmenu import TicTacToeTaskMenuFactory
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='TicTacToe' name='ticTacToe'>
+        <property name='geometry'>
+            <rect>
+                <x>0</x>
+                <y>0</y>
+                <width>200</width>
+                <height>200</height>
+            </rect>
+        </property>
+        <property name='state'>
+            <string>-X-XO----</string>
+        </property>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class TicTacToePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = TicTacToe(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "Games"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon("sports_esports")
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "tictactoe"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+        manager = form_editor.extensionManager()
+        iid = TicTacToeTaskMenuFactory.task_menu_iid()
+        manager.registerExtensions(TicTacToeTaskMenuFactory(manager), iid)
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "TicTacToe"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "Tic Tac Toe Example, demonstrating class QDesignerTaskMenuExtension (Python)"
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoetaskmenu.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoetaskmenu.py
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QExtensionFactory, QPyDesignerTaskMenuExtension
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QVBoxLayout
+
+from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoe import TicTacToe
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+
+
+class TicTacToeDialog(QDialog):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self, parent):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self._ticTacToe = TicTacToe(self)
+        layout.addWidget(self._ticTacToe)
+        button_box = QDialogButtonBox(
+            QDialogButtonBox.Ok | QDialogButtonBox.Cancel | QDialogButtonBox.Reset
+        )
+        button_box.accepted.connect(self.accept)
+        button_box.rejected.connect(self.reject)
+        reset_button = button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Reset)
+        reset_button.clicked.connect(self._ticTacToe.clear_board)
+        layout.addWidget(button_box)
+
+    def set_state(self, new_state):
+        self._ticTacToe.setState(new_state)
+
+    def state(self):
+        return self._ticTacToe.state
+
+
+class TicTacToeTaskMenu(QPyDesignerTaskMenuExtension):
+    def __init__(self, ticTacToe, parent):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._ticTacToe = ticTacToe
+        self._edit_state_action = QAction("Edit State...", None)
+        self._edit_state_action.triggered.connect(self._edit_state)
+
+    def taskActions(self):
+        return [self._edit_state_action]
+
+    def preferredEditAction(self):
+        return self._edit_state_action
+
+    @Slot()
+    def _edit_state(self):
+        dialog = TicTacToeDialog(self._ticTacToe)
+        dialog.set_state(self._ticTacToe.state)
+        if dialog.exec() == QDialog.Accepted:
+            self._ticTacToe.state = dialog.state()
+
+
+class TicTacToeTaskMenuFactory(QExtensionFactory):
+    def __init__(self, extension_manager):
+        super().__init__(extension_manager)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def task_menu_iid():
+        return "org.qt-project.Qt.Designer.TaskMenu"
+
+    def createExtension(self, object, iid, parent):
+        if iid != TicTacToeTaskMenuFactory.task_menu_iid():
+            return None
+        if object.__class__.__name__ != "TicTacToe":
+            return None
+        return TicTacToeTaskMenu(object, parent)
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/movement_absolute/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/movement_absolute/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/compact_popup.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/compact_popup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,268 @@
+import time
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt, Signal
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpacerItem,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+
+class LedLabel(QLabel):
+    success_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.145, y1:0.16, x2:1, y2:1, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    emergency_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.145, y1:0.16, x2:0.92, y2:0.988636, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    warning_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.232, y1:0.272, x2:0.98, y2:0.959773, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    default_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.04, y1:0.0565909, x2:0.799, y2:0.795, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        self.palette = get_accent_colors()
+        if self.palette is None:
+            # no theme!
+            self.palette = SimpleNamespace(
+                default=QColor("blue"),
+                success=QColor("green"),
+                warning=QColor("orange"),
+                emergency=QColor("red"),
+            )
+        self.setState("default")
+        self.setFixedSize(20, 20)
+
+    def setState(self, state: str):
+        match state:
+            case "success":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.success.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.success_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "default":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.default.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.default_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "warning":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.warning.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.warning_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "emergency":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.emergency.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.emergency_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case unknown_state:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Unknown state {repr(unknown_state)}, must be one of default, success, warning or emergency"
+                )
+
+
+class PopupDialog(QDialog):
+    def __init__(self, content_widget):
+        self.parent = content_widget.parent()
+        self.content_widget = content_widget
+
+        super().__init__(self.parent)
+
+        self.setAttribute(Qt.WA_DeleteOnClose)
+
+        self.content_widget.setParent(self)
+        QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.content_widget)
+        self.content_widget.setVisible(True)
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.content_widget.setVisible(False)
+        self.content_widget.setParent(self.parent)
+        self.done(True)
+
+
+class CompactPopupWidget(QWidget):
+    """Container widget, that can display its content or have a compact form,
+    in this case clicking on a small button pops the contained widget up.
+
+    In the compact form, a LED-like indicator shows a status indicator.
+    """
+
+    expand = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, layout=QVBoxLayout):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        self._popup_window = None
+        self._expand_popup = True
+
+        QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.compact_view_widget = QWidget(self)
+        self.compact_view_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        QHBoxLayout(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setSpacing(0)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addSpacerItem(
+            QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        )
+        self.compact_label = QLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_status = LedLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_show_popup = QPushButton(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_show_popup.setFlat(True)
+        self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="expand_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_label)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_status)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_show_popup)
+        self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(False)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.container = QWidget(self)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.container)
+        self.container.setVisible(True)
+        layout(self.container)
+        self.layout = self.container.layout()
+
+        self.compact_show_popup.clicked.connect(self.show_popup)
+
+    def set_global_state(self, state: str):
+        """Set the LED-indicator state
+
+        The LED indicator represents the 'global' state. State can be one of the
+        following: "default", "success", "warning", "emergency"
+        """
+        self.compact_status.setState(state)
+
+    def show_popup(self):
+        """Display the contained widgets in a popup dialog"""
+        if self._expand_popup:
+            # show popup
+            self._popup_window = PopupDialog(self.container)
+            self._popup_window.show()
+            self._popup_window.finished.connect(lambda: self.expand.emit(False))
+            self.expand.emit(True)
+        else:
+            if self.compact_view:
+                # expand in place
+                self.compact_view = False
+                self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_label.setVisible(False)
+                self.compact_status.setVisible(False)
+                self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+                    material_icon(
+                        icon_name="collapse_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False
+                    )
+                )
+                self.expand.emit(True)
+            else:
+                # back to compact form
+                self.compact_label.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_status.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+                    material_icon(
+                        icon_name="expand_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False
+                    )
+                )
+                self.compact_view = True
+                self.expand.emit(False)
+
+    def setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1, size_policy2=None):
+        # setting size policy on the compact popup widget will set
+        # the policy for the container, and for itself
+        if size_policy2 is None:
+            # assuming first form: setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy)
+            self.container.setSizePolicy(size_policy1)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1)
+        else:
+            self.container.setSizePolicy(size_policy1, size_policy2)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1, size_policy2)
+
+    def addWidget(self, widget):
+        """Add a widget to the popup container
+
+        The popup container corresponds to the "full view" (not compact)
+        The widget is reparented to the container, and added to the container layout
+        """
+        widget.setParent(self.container)
+        self.container.layout().addWidget(widget)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def compact_view(self):
+        return self.compact_label.isVisible()
+
+    @compact_view.setter
+    def compact_view(self, set_compact: bool):
+        """Sets the compact form
+
+        If set_compact is True, the compact view is displayed ; otherwise,
+        the full view is displayed. This is handled by toggling visibility of
+        the container widget or the compact view widget.
+        """
+        if set_compact:
+            self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(True)
+            self.container.setVisible(False)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        else:
+            self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(False)
+            self.container.setVisible(True)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, self.container.sizePolicy())
+        if self.parentWidget():
+            self.parentWidget().adjustSize()
+        else:
+            self.adjustSize()
+
+    @Property(str)
+    def label(self):
+        return self.compact_label.text()
+
+    @label.setter
+    def label(self, compact_label_text: str):
+        """Set the label text associated to the compact view"""
+        self.compact_label.setText(compact_label_text)
+
+    @Property(str)
+    def tooltip(self):
+        return self.compact_label.toolTip()
+
+    @tooltip.setter
+    def tooltip(self, tooltip: str):
+        """Set the tooltip text associated to the compact view"""
+        self.compact_label.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        self.compact_status.setToolTip(tooltip)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def expand_popup(self):
+        return self._expand_popup
+
+    @expand_popup.setter
+    def expand_popup(self, popup: bool):
+        self._expand_popup = popup
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        # Called by Qt, on closing - since the children widgets can be
+        # BECWidgets, it is good to explicitely call 'close' on them,
+        # to ensure proper resources cleanup
+        for child in self.container.findChildren(QWidget, options=Qt.FindDirectChildrenOnly):
+            child.close()
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/error_popups.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/error_popups.py
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+import functools
+import sys
+import traceback
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+
+def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    """Function with args, acting like a decorator, applying "error_managed" decorator + Qt Slot
+    to the passed function, to display errors instead of potentially raising an exception
+
+    'popup_error' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if a dialog should pop up,
+    otherwise error display is left to the original exception hook
+    """
+    popup_error = bool(slot_kwargs.pop("popup_error", False))
+
+    def error_managed(method):
+        @Slot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs)
+        @functools.wraps(method)
+        def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+            try:
+                return method(*args, **kwargs)
+            except Exception:
+                ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=popup_error)
+
+        return wrapper
+
+    return error_managed
+
+
+class WarningPopupUtility(QObject):
+    """
+    Utility class to show warning popups in the application.
+    """
+
+    @SafeSlot(str, str, str, QWidget)
+    def show_warning_message(self, title, message, detailed_text, widget):
+        msg = QMessageBox(widget)
+        msg.setIcon(QMessageBox.Warning)
+        msg.setWindowTitle(title)
+        msg.setText(message)
+        msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox.Ok)
+        msg.setDetailedText(detailed_text)
+        msg.exec_()
+
+    def show_warning(self, title: str, message: str, detailed_text: str, widget: QWidget = None):
+        """
+        Show a warning message with the given title, message, and detailed text.
+
+        Args:
+            title (str): The title of the warning message.
+            message (str): The main text of the warning message.
+            detailed_text (str): The detailed text to show when the user expands the message.
+            widget (QWidget): The parent widget for the message box.
+        """
+        self.show_warning_message(title, message, detailed_text, widget)
+
+
+_popup_utility_instance = None
+
+
+class _ErrorPopupUtility(QObject):
+    """
+    Utility class to manage error popups in the application to show error messages to the users.
+    This class is singleton and the error popup can be enabled or disabled globally or attach to widget methods with decorator @error_managed.
+    """
+
+    error_occurred = Signal(str, str, QWidget)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self.error_occurred.connect(self.show_error_message)
+        self.enable_error_popup = False
+        self._initialized = True
+        sys.excepthook = self.custom_exception_hook
+
+    @SafeSlot(str, str, QWidget)
+    def show_error_message(self, title, message, widget):
+        detailed_text = self.format_traceback(message)
+        error_message = self.parse_error_message(detailed_text)
+
+        msg = QMessageBox(widget)
+        msg.setIcon(QMessageBox.Critical)
+        msg.setWindowTitle(title)
+        msg.setText(error_message)
+        msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox.Ok)
+        msg.setDetailedText(detailed_text)
+        msg.setTextInteractionFlags(Qt.TextSelectableByMouse)
+        msg.setMinimumWidth(600)
+        msg.setMinimumHeight(400)
+        msg.exec_()
+
+    def format_traceback(self, traceback_message: str) -> str:
+        """
+        Format the traceback message to be displayed in the error popup by adding indentation to each line.
+
+        Args:
+            traceback_message(str): The traceback message to be formatted.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The formatted traceback message.
+        """
+        formatted_lines = []
+        lines = traceback_message.split("\n")
+        for line in lines:
+            formatted_lines.append("    " + line)  # Add indentation to each line
+        return "\n".join(formatted_lines)
+
+    def parse_error_message(self, traceback_message):
+        lines = traceback_message.split("\n")
+        error_message = "Error occurred. See details."
+        capture = False
+        captured_message = []
+
+        for line in lines:
+            if "raise" in line:
+                capture = True
+                continue
+            if capture:
+                if line.strip() and not line.startswith("  File "):
+                    captured_message.append(line.strip())
+                else:
+                    break
+
+        if captured_message:
+            error_message = " ".join(captured_message)
+        return error_message
+
+    def custom_exception_hook(self, exctype, value, tb, popup_error=False):
+        if popup_error or self.enable_error_popup:
+            error_message = traceback.format_exception(exctype, value, tb)
+            self.error_occurred.emit(
+                "Method error" if popup_error else "Application Error",
+                "".join(error_message),
+                self.parent(),
+            )
+        else:
+            sys.__excepthook__(exctype, value, tb)  # Call the original excepthook
+
+    def enable_global_error_popups(self, state: bool):
+        """
+        Enable or disable global error popups for all applications.
+
+        Args:
+            state(bool): True to enable error popups, False to disable error popups.
+        """
+        self.enable_error_popup = bool(state)
+
+
+def ErrorPopupUtility():
+    global _popup_utility_instance
+    if not _popup_utility_instance:
+        _popup_utility_instance = _ErrorPopupUtility()
+    return _popup_utility_instance
+
+
+class ExampleWidget(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
+    """
+    Example widget to demonstrate error handling with the ErrorPopupUtility.
+
+    Warnings -> This example works properly only with PySide6, PyQt6 has a bug with the error handling.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self.init_ui()
+        self.warning_utility = WarningPopupUtility(self)
+
+    def init_ui(self):
+        self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # Button to trigger method with error handling
+        self.error_button = QPushButton("Trigger Handled Error", self)
+        self.error_button.clicked.connect(self.method_with_error_handling)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.error_button)
+
+        # Button to trigger method without error handling
+        self.normal_button = QPushButton("Trigger Normal Error", self)
+        self.normal_button.clicked.connect(self.method_without_error_handling)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.normal_button)
+
+        # Button to trigger warning popup
+        self.warning_button = QPushButton("Trigger Warning", self)
+        self.warning_button.clicked.connect(self.trigger_warning)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.warning_button)
+
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
+    def method_with_error_handling(self):
+        """This method raises an error and the exception is handled by the decorator."""
+        raise ValueError("This is a handled error.")
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def method_without_error_handling(self):
+        """This method raises an error and the exception is not handled here."""
+        raise ValueError("This is an unhandled error.")
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def trigger_warning(self):
+        """Trigger a warning using the WarningPopupUtility."""
+        self.warning_utility.show_warning(
+            title="Warning",
+            message="This is a warning message.",
+            detailed_text="This is the detailed text of the warning message.",
+            widget=self,
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = ExampleWidget()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/palette_viewer.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/palette_viewer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QFrame,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QScrollArea,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, get_theme_palette
+from bec_widgets.widgets.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+
+class PaletteViewer(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """
+    This class is a widget that displays current palette colors.
+    """
+
+    ICON_NAME = "palette"
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        self.setFixedSize(400, 600)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(self)
+        layout.addWidget(dark_mode_button)
+
+        # Create a scroll area to hold the color boxes
+        scroll_area = QScrollArea(self)
+        scroll_area.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        scroll_area.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+
+        # Create a frame to hold the color boxes
+        self.frame = QFrame(self)
+        self.frame_layout = QGridLayout(self.frame)
+        self.frame_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.frame_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+
+        scroll_area.setWidget(self.frame)
+        layout.addWidget(scroll_area)
+
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+        self.update_palette()
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme) -> None:
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            theme (str): The theme to apply.
+        """
+        self.update_palette()
+
+    def clear_palette(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Clear the palette colors from the frame.
+        Recursively removes all widgets and layouts in the frame layout.
+        """
+        # Iterate over all items in the layout in reverse to safely remove them
+        for i in reversed(range(self.frame_layout.count())):
+            item = self.frame_layout.itemAt(i)
+
+            # If the item is a layout, clear its contents
+            if isinstance(item, QHBoxLayout):
+                # Recursively remove all widgets from the layout
+                for j in reversed(range(item.count())):
+                    widget = item.itemAt(j).widget()
+                    if widget:
+                        item.removeWidget(widget)
+                        widget.deleteLater()
+                self.frame_layout.removeItem(item)
+
+            # If the item is a widget, remove and delete it
+            elif item.widget():
+                widget = item.widget()
+                self.frame_layout.removeWidget(widget)
+                widget.deleteLater()
+
+    def update_palette(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Update the palette colors in the frame.
+        """
+        self.clear_palette()
+        palette_label = QLabel("Palette Colors (e.g. palette.windowText().color())")
+        palette_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(palette_label, 0, 0)
+
+        palette = get_theme_palette()
+        # Add the palette colors (roles) to the frame
+        palette_roles = [
+            palette.windowText,
+            palette.toolTipText,
+            palette.placeholderText,
+            palette.text,
+            palette.buttonText,
+            palette.highlight,
+            palette.link,
+            palette.light,
+            palette.midlight,
+            palette.mid,
+            palette.shadow,
+            palette.button,
+            palette.brightText,
+            palette.toolTipBase,
+            palette.alternateBase,
+            palette.dark,
+            palette.base,
+            palette.window,
+            palette.highlightedText,
+            palette.linkVisited,
+        ]
+
+        offset = 1
+        for i, pal in enumerate(palette_roles):
+            i += offset
+            color = pal().color()
+            label_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+            color_label = QLabel(f"{pal().color().name()} ({pal.__name__})")
+            background_label = self.background_label_with_clipboard(color)
+            label_layout.addWidget(color_label)
+            label_layout.addWidget(background_label)
+            self.frame_layout.addLayout(label_layout, i, 0)
+
+        # add a horizontal spacer
+        spacer = QLabel()
+        spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Minimum)
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(spacer, i + 1, 0)
+
+        accent_colors_label = QLabel("Accent Colors (e.g. accent_colors.default)")
+        accent_colors_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(accent_colors_label, i + 2, 0)
+
+        accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        items = [
+            (accent_colors.default, "default"),
+            (accent_colors.success, "success"),
+            (accent_colors.warning, "warning"),
+            (accent_colors.emergency, "emergency"),
+            (accent_colors.highlight, "highlight"),
+        ]
+
+        offset = len(palette_roles) + 2
+        for i, (color, name) in enumerate(items):
+            i += offset
+            label_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+            color_label = QLabel(f"{color.name()} ({name})")
+            background_label = self.background_label_with_clipboard(color)
+            label_layout.addWidget(color_label)
+            label_layout.addWidget(background_label)
+            self.frame_layout.addLayout(label_layout, i + 2, 0)
+
+    def background_label_with_clipboard(self, color) -> QLabel:
+        """
+        Create a label with a background color that copies the color to the clipboard when clicked.
+
+        Args:
+            color (QColor): The color to display in the background.
+
+        Returns:
+            QLabel: The label with the background color.
+        """
+        button = QLabel()
+        button.setStyleSheet(f"QLabel {{ background-color: {color.name()}; }}")
+        button.setToolTip("Click to copy color to clipboard")
+        button.setCursor(Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        button.mousePressEvent = lambda event: QApplication.clipboard().setText(color.name())
+        return button
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    viewer = PaletteViewer()
+    viewer.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/redis_message_waiter.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/redis_message_waiter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+from bec_lib.serialization import MsgpackSerialization
+from bec_lib.utils import lazy_import_from
+from qtpy.QtCore import QEventLoop, QSocketNotifier, QTimer
+
+MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
+
+
+class QtRedisMessageWaiter:
+    def __init__(self, redis_connector, message_to_wait):
+        self.ev_loop = QEventLoop()
+        self.response = None
+        self.connector = redis_connector
+        self.message_to_wait = message_to_wait
+        self.pubsub = redis_connector._redis_conn.pubsub()
+        self.pubsub.subscribe(self.message_to_wait.endpoint)
+        fd = self.pubsub.connection._sock.fileno()
+        self.notifier = QSocketNotifier(fd, QSocketNotifier.Read)
+        self.notifier.activated.connect(self._pubsub_readable)
+
+    def _msg_received(self, msg_obj):
+        self.response = msg_obj.value
+        self.ev_loop.quit()
+
+    def wait(self, timeout=1):
+        timer = QTimer()
+        timer.singleShot(timeout * 1000, self.ev_loop.quit)
+        self.ev_loop.exec_()
+        timer.stop()
+        self.notifier.setEnabled(False)
+        self.pubsub.close()
+        return self.response
+
+    def _pubsub_readable(self, fd):
+        while True:
+            msg = self.pubsub.get_message()
+            if msg:
+                if msg["type"] == "subscribe":
+                    # get_message buffers, so we may already have the answer
+                    # let's check...
+                    continue
+                else:
+                    break
+            else:
+                return
+        channel = msg["channel"].decode()
+        msg = MessageObject(topic=channel, value=MsgpackSerialization.loads(msg["data"]))
+        self.connector._execute_callback(self._msg_received, msg, {})
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/settings_dialog.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/settings_dialog.py
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+
+
+class SettingWidget(QWidget):
+    """
+    Abstract class for a settings widget to enforce the implementation of the accept_changes and display_current_settings.
+    Can be used for toolbar actions to display the settings of a widget.
+
+    Args:
+        target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the settings will be taken from and applied to.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        self.target_widget = None
+
+    def set_target_widget(self, target_widget: QWidget):
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+
+    @Slot()
+    def accept_changes(self):
+        """
+        Accepts the changes made in the settings widget and applies them to the target widget.
+        """
+        pass
+
+    @Slot(dict)
+    def display_current_settings(self, config_dict: dict):
+        """
+        Displays the current settings of the target widget in the settings widget.
+
+        Args:
+            config_dict(dict): The current settings of the target widget.
+        """
+        pass
+
+
+class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
+    """
+    Dialog to display and edit the settings of a widget with accept and cancel buttons.
+
+    Args:
+        parent (QWidget): The parent widget of the dialog.
+        target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the settings will be taken from and applied to.
+        settings_widget (SettingWidget): The widget that will display the settings.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        settings_widget: SettingWidget = None,
+        window_title: str = "Settings",
+        config: dict = None,
+        *args,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        self.setModal(False)
+
+        self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
+
+        self.widget = settings_widget
+        self.widget.set_target_widget(parent)
+        if config is None:
+            config = parent.get_config()
+
+        self.widget.display_current_settings(config)
+
+        self.button_box = QDialogButtonBox(QDialogButtonBox.Ok | QDialogButtonBox.Cancel)
+
+        self.apply_button = QPushButton("Apply")
+
+        button_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Cancel))
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.apply_button)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Ok))
+
+        self.button_box.accepted.connect(self.accept)
+        self.button_box.rejected.connect(self.reject)
+        self.apply_button.clicked.connect(self.apply_changes)
+
+        self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.widget)
+        self.layout.addLayout(button_layout)
+
+        ok_button = self.button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Ok)
+        ok_button.setDefault(True)
+        ok_button.setAutoDefault(True)
+
+    @Slot()
+    def accept(self):
+        """
+        Accept the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
+        """
+        self.widget.accept_changes()
+        super().accept()
+
+    @Slot()
+    def apply_changes(self):
+        """
+        Apply the changes made in the settings widget without closing the dialog.
+        """
+        self.widget.accept_changes()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the dialog.
+        """
+        self.button_box.close()
+        self.button_box.deleteLater()
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.cleanup()
+        super().closeEvent(event)
--- a/bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py
@@ -0,0 +1,296 @@
+# pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from collections import defaultdict
+from typing import Literal
+
+from bec_qthemes._icon.material_icons import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QColor, QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QComboBox,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QMenu,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QToolBar,
+    QToolButton,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+import bec_widgets
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class ToolBarAction(ABC):
+    """
+    Abstract base class for toolbar actions.
+
+    Args:
+        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the icon file from `assets/toolbar_icons`. Defaults to None.
+        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
+        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
+        self.icon_path = (
+            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "toolbar_icons", icon_path) if icon_path else None
+        )
+        self.tooltip = tooltip
+        self.checkable = checkable
+        self.action = None
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        """Adds an action or widget to a toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the action or widget to.
+            target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
+        """
+
+
+class SeparatorAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """Separator action for the toolbar."""
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        toolbar.addSeparator()
+
+
+class IconAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """
+    Action with an icon for the toolbar.
+
+    Args:
+        icon_path (str): The path to the icon file.
+        tooltip (str): The tooltip for the action.
+        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
+        super().__init__(icon_path, tooltip, checkable)
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        icon = QIcon()
+        icon.addFile(self.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
+        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
+        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
+        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
+
+
+class MaterialIconAction:
+    """
+    Action with a Material icon for the toolbar.
+
+    Args:
+        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the Material icon. Defaults to None.
+        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
+        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
+        filled (bool, optional): Whether the icon is filled. Defaults to False.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        icon_name: str = None,
+        tooltip: str = None,
+        checkable: bool = False,
+        filled: bool = False,
+        color: str | tuple | QColor | dict[Literal["dark", "light"], str] | None = None,
+    ):
+        self.icon_name = icon_name
+        self.tooltip = tooltip
+        self.checkable = checkable
+        self.action = None
+        self.filled = filled
+        self.color = color
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        icon = self.get_icon()
+        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
+        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
+        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
+
+    def get_icon(self):
+
+        icon = material_icon(
+            self.icon_name,
+            size=(20, 20),
+            convert_to_pixmap=False,
+            filled=self.filled,
+            color=self.color,
+        )
+        return icon
+
+
+class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """
+    Action for selecting a device in a combobox.
+
+    Args:
+        label (str): The label for the combobox.
+        device_combobox (DeviceComboBox): The combobox for selecting the device.
+
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, label: str, device_combobox):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.label = label
+        self.device_combobox = device_combobox
+        self.device_combobox.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda: self.set_combobox_style("#ffa700"))
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
+        widget = QWidget()
+        layout = QHBoxLayout(widget)
+        label = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
+        layout.addWidget(label)
+        layout.addWidget(self.device_combobox)
+        toolbar.addWidget(widget)
+
+    def set_combobox_style(self, color: str):
+        self.device_combobox.setStyleSheet(f"QComboBox {{ background-color: {color}; }}")
+
+
+class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """
+    Action for adding any widget to the toolbar.
+
+    Args:
+        label (str|None): The label for the widget.
+        widget (QWidget): The widget to be added to the toolbar.
+
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, label: str | None = None, widget: QWidget = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.label = label
+        self.widget = widget
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        container = QWidget()
+        layout = QHBoxLayout(container)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(5)
+
+        if self.label is not None:
+            label_widget = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
+            label_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            label_widget.setAlignment(Qt.AlignVCenter | Qt.AlignRight)
+            layout.addWidget(label_widget)
+
+        if isinstance(self.widget, QComboBox):
+            self.widget.setSizeAdjustPolicy(QComboBox.AdjustToContents)
+
+            size_policy = QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            self.widget.setSizePolicy(size_policy)
+
+            self.widget.setMinimumWidth(self.calculate_minimum_width(self.widget))
+
+        else:
+            self.widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+
+        layout.addWidget(self.widget)
+
+        toolbar.addWidget(container)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def calculate_minimum_width(combo_box: QComboBox) -> int:
+        """
+        Calculate the minimum width required to display the longest item in the combo box.
+
+        Args:
+            combo_box (QComboBox): The combo box to calculate the width for.
+
+        Returns:
+            int: The calculated minimum width in pixels.
+        """
+        font_metrics = combo_box.fontMetrics()
+        max_width = max(font_metrics.width(combo_box.itemText(i)) for i in range(combo_box.count()))
+        return max_width + 60
+
+
+class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """
+    Action for an expandable menu in the toolbar.
+
+    Args:
+        label (str): The label for the menu.
+        actions (dict): A dictionary of actions to populate the menu.
+        icon_path (str, optional): The path to the icon file. Defaults to None.
+
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, label: str, actions: dict, icon_path: str = None):
+        super().__init__(icon_path, label)
+        self.actions = actions
+        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        button = QToolButton(toolbar)
+        if self.icon_path:
+            button.setIcon(QIcon(self.icon_path))
+        button.setText(self.tooltip)
+        button.setPopupMode(QToolButton.InstantPopup)
+        button.setStyleSheet(
+            """
+                   QToolButton {
+                       font-size: 14px;
+                   }
+                   QMenu {
+                       font-size: 14px;
+                   }
+               """
+        )
+        menu = QMenu(button)
+        for action_id, action in self.actions.items():
+            sub_action = QAction(action.tooltip, target)
+            if hasattr(action, "icon_path"):
+                icon = QIcon()
+                icon.addFile(action.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
+                sub_action.setIcon(icon)
+            elif hasattr(action, "get_icon"):
+                sub_action.setIcon(action.get_icon())
+            sub_action.setCheckable(action.checkable)
+            menu.addAction(sub_action)
+            self.widgets[action_id] = sub_action
+        button.setMenu(menu)
+        toolbar.addWidget(button)
+
+
+class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
+    """Modular toolbar with optional automatic initialization.
+    Args:
+        parent (QWidget, optional): The parent widget of the toolbar. Defaults to None.
+        actions (list[ToolBarAction], optional): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar. Defaults to None.
+        target_widget (QWidget, optional): The widget that the actions will target. Defaults to None.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, actions: dict | None = None, target_widget=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
+        self.set_background_color()
+
+        if actions is not None and target_widget is not None:
+            self.populate_toolbar(actions, target_widget)
+
+    def populate_toolbar(self, actions: dict, target_widget):
+        """Populates the toolbar with a set of actions.
+
+        Args:
+            actions (list[ToolBarAction]): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar.
+            target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the actions will target.
+        """
+        self.clear()
+        for action_id, action in actions.items():
+            action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
+            self.widgets[action_id] = action
+
+    def set_background_color(self):
+        self.setIconSize(QSize(20, 20))
+        self.setMovable(False)
+        self.setFloatable(False)
+        self.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setStyleSheet("QToolBar { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: none; }")
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py
@@ -1,15 +1,23 @@
 # pylint: disable = no-name-in-module,missing-module-docstring
 from __future__ import annotations

+import os
 import time
-from typing import Optional, Type
+import uuid
+from typing import Optional

-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
-from qtpy.QtCore import Slot as pyqtSlot
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, Signal
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication

 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui

+logger = bec_logger.logger
 BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))


@@ -33,21 +41,60 @@ class ConnectionConfig(BaseModel):
        return v


-class BECConnector:
-    """Connection mixin class for all BEC widgets, to handle BEC client and device manager"""
+class WorkerSignals(QObject):
+    progress = Signal(dict)
+    completed = Signal()

-    USER_ACCESS = ["config_dict", "get_all_rpc"]
+
+class Worker(QRunnable):
+    """
+    Worker class to run a function in a separate thread.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, func, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.signals = WorkerSignals()
+        self.func = func
+        self.args = args
+        self.kwargs = kwargs
+
+    def run(self):
+        """
+        Run the specified function in the thread.
+        """
+        self.func(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
+        self.signals.completed.emit()
+
+
+class BECConnector:
+    """Connection mixin class to handle BEC client and device manager"""
+
+    USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc"]
+    EXIT_HANDLERS = {}

    def __init__(self, client=None, config: ConnectionConfig = None, gui_id: str = None):
        # BEC related connections
        self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
        self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client

+        if not self.client in BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS:
+            # register function to clean connections at exit;
+            # the function depends on BECClient, and BECDispatcher
+            @pyqtSlot()
+            def terminate(client=self.client, dispatcher=self.bec_dispatcher):
+                logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(dispatcher))
+                dispatcher.disconnect_all()
+                logger.info("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(client))
+                client.shutdown()
+
+            BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS[self.client] = terminate
+            QApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(terminate)
+
        if config:
            self.config = config
            self.config.widget_class = self.__class__.__name__
        else:
-            print(
+            logger.debug(
                f"No initial config found for {self.__class__.__name__}.\n"
                f"Initializing with default config."
            )
@@ -60,26 +107,68 @@ class BECConnector:
            self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id

        # register widget to rpc register
+        # be careful: when registering, and the object is not a BECWidget,
+        # cleanup has to called manually since there is no 'closeEvent'
        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)

-    def get_all_rpc(self) -> dict:
+        # Error popups
+        self.error_utility = ErrorPopupUtility()
+
+        self._thread_pool = QThreadPool.globalInstance()
+
+    def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: pyqtSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
+        """
+        Submit a task to run in a separate thread. The task will run the specified
+        function with the provided arguments and emit the completed signal when done.
+
+        Use this method if you want to wait for a task to complete without blocking the
+        main thread.
+
+        Args:
+            fn: Function to run in a separate thread.
+            *args: Arguments for the function.
+            on_complete: Slot to run when the task is complete.
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the function.
+
+        Returns:
+            worker: The worker object that will run the task.
+
+        Examples:
+            >>> def my_function(a, b):
+            >>>     print(a + b)
+            >>> self.submit_task(my_function, 1, 2)
+
+            >>> def my_function(a, b):
+            >>>     print(a + b)
+            >>> def on_complete():
+            >>>     print("Task complete")
+            >>> self.submit_task(my_function, 1, 2, on_complete=on_complete)
+
+        """
+        worker = Worker(fn, *args, **kwargs)
+        if on_complete:
+            worker.signals.completed.connect(on_complete)
+        self._thread_pool.start(worker)
+        return worker
+
+    def _get_all_rpc(self) -> dict:
        """Get all registered RPC objects."""
        all_connections = self.rpc_register.list_all_connections()
        return dict(all_connections)

    @property
-    def rpc_id(self) -> str:
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> str:
        """Get the RPC ID of the widget."""
        return self.gui_id

-    @rpc_id.setter
-    def rpc_id(self, rpc_id: str) -> None:
+    @_rpc_id.setter
+    def _rpc_id(self, rpc_id: str) -> None:
        """Set the RPC ID of the widget."""
        self.gui_id = rpc_id

    @property
-    def config_dict(self) -> dict:
+    def _config_dict(self) -> dict:
        """
        Get the configuration of the widget.

@@ -88,8 +177,8 @@ class BECConnector:
        """
        return self.config.model_dump()

-    @config_dict.setter
-    def config_dict(self, config: BaseModel) -> None:
+    @_config_dict.setter
+    def _config_dict(self, config: BaseModel) -> None:
        """
        Get the configuration of the widget.

@@ -98,6 +187,60 @@ class BECConnector:
        """
        self.config = config

+    def apply_config(self, config: dict, generate_new_id: bool = True) -> None:
+        """
+        Apply the configuration to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            config(dict): Configuration settings.
+            generate_new_id(bool): If True, generate a new GUI ID for the widget.
+        """
+        self.config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
+        if generate_new_id is True:
+            gui_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+            self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+            self.set_gui_id(gui_id)
+            self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+        else:
+            self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
+
+    def load_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
+        """
+        Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.
+
+        Args:
+            path(str): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
+        """
+        if gui is True:
+            config = load_yaml_gui(self)
+        else:
+            config = load_yaml(path)
+
+        if config is not None:
+            if config.get("widget_class") != self.__class__.__name__:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Configuration file is not for {self.__class__.__name__}. Got configuration for {config.get('widget_class')}."
+                )
+            self.apply_config(config)
+
+    def save_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
+        """
+        Save the configuration of the widget to YAML.
+
+        Args:
+            path(str): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
+        """
+        if gui is True:
+            save_yaml_gui(self, self._config_dict)
+        else:
+            if path is None:
+                path = os.getcwd()
+            file_path = os.path.join(path, f"{self.__class__.__name__}_config.yaml")
+
+            save_yaml(file_path, self._config_dict)
+
    @pyqtSlot(str)
    def set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
        """
@@ -158,15 +301,3 @@ class BECConnector:
            return self.config.model_dump()
        else:
            return self.config
-
-    def cleanup(self):
-        """Cleanup the widget."""
-        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
-        all_connections = self.rpc_register.list_all_connections()
-        if len(all_connections) == 0:
-            print("No more connections. Shutting down GUI BEC client.")
-            self.client.shutdown()
-
-    # def closeEvent(self, event):
-    #     self.cleanup()
-    #     super().closeEvent(event)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+import importlib.metadata
+import json
+import os
+import site
+import sys
+import sysconfig
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+
+if PYSIDE6:
+    from PySide6.scripts.pyside_tool import (
+        _extend_path_var,
+        init_virtual_env,
+        qt_tool_wrapper,
+        is_pyenv_python,
+        is_virtual_env,
+        ui_tool_binary,
+    )
+
+import bec_widgets
+
+
+def designer_material_icon(icon_name: str) -> QIcon:
+    """
+    Create a QIcon for the BECDesigner with the given material icon name.
+
+    Args:
+        icon_name (str): The name of the material icon.
+
+    Returns:
+        QIcon: The QIcon for the material icon.
+    """
+    return QIcon(material_icon(icon_name, filled=True, convert_to_pixmap=True))
+
+
+def list_editable_packages() -> set[str]:
+    """
+    List all editable packages in the environment.
+
+    Returns:
+        set: A set of paths to editable packages.
+    """
+
+    editable_packages = set()
+
+    # Get site-packages directories
+    site_packages = site.getsitepackages()
+    if hasattr(site, "getusersitepackages"):
+        site_packages.append(site.getusersitepackages())
+
+    for dist in importlib.metadata.distributions():
+        location = dist.locate_file("").resolve()
+        is_editable = all(not str(location).startswith(site_pkg) for site_pkg in site_packages)
+
+        if is_editable:
+            editable_packages.add(str(location))
+
+    for packages in site_packages:
+        # all dist-info directories in site-packages that contain a direct_url.json file
+        dist_info_dirs = Path(packages).rglob("*.dist-info")
+        for dist_info_dir in dist_info_dirs:
+            direct_url = dist_info_dir / "direct_url.json"
+            if not direct_url.exists():
+                continue
+            # load the json file and get the path to the package
+            with open(direct_url, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                data = json.load(f)
+                path = data.get("url", "")
+                if path.startswith("file://"):
+                    path = path[7:]
+                    editable_packages.add(path)
+
+    return editable_packages
+
+
+def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+
+    init_virtual_env()
+
+    major_version = sys.version_info[0]
+    minor_version = sys.version_info[1]
+    os.environ["PY_MAJOR_VERSION"] = str(major_version)
+    os.environ["PY_MINOR_VERSION"] = str(minor_version)
+
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        if is_virtual_env():
+            _extend_path_var("PATH", os.fspath(Path(sys._base_executable).parent), True)
+    else:
+        if sys.platform == "linux":
+            suffix = f"{sys.abiflags}.so"
+            env_var = "LD_PRELOAD"
+        elif sys.platform == "darwin":
+            suffix = ".dylib"
+            env_var = "DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES"
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Unsupported platform: {sys.platform}")
+        version = f"{major_version}.{minor_version}"
+        library_name = f"libpython{version}{suffix}"
+        lib_path = str(Path(sysconfig.get_config_var("LIBDIR")) / library_name)
+        os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
+
+        if is_pyenv_python() or is_virtual_env():
+            # append all editable packages to the PYTHONPATH
+            editable_packages = list_editable_packages()
+            for pckg in editable_packages:
+                _extend_path_var("PYTHONPATH", pckg, True)
+    qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), sys.argv[1:])
+
+
+def find_plugin_paths(base_path: Path):
+    """
+    Recursively find all directories containing a .pyproject file.
+    """
+    plugin_paths = []
+    for path in base_path.rglob("*.pyproject"):
+        plugin_paths.append(str(path.parent))
+    return plugin_paths
+
+
+def set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths):
+    """
+    Set the PYSIDE_DESIGNER_PLUGINS environment variable with the given plugin paths.
+    """
+    current_paths = os.environ.get("PYSIDE_DESIGNER_PLUGINS", "")
+    if current_paths:
+        current_paths = current_paths.split(os.pathsep)
+    else:
+        current_paths = []
+
+    current_paths.extend(plugin_paths)
+    os.environ["PYSIDE_DESIGNER_PLUGINS"] = os.pathsep.join(current_paths)
+
+
+# Patch the designer function
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Exiting...")
+        return
+    base_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)).resolve()
+    plugin_paths = find_plugin_paths(base_dir)
+    set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths)
+
+    patch_designer()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py
@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
 from __future__ import annotations

-import argparse
 import collections
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Union

 import redis
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.redis_connector import MessageObject, RedisConnector
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
-from qtpy.QtCore import QCoreApplication, QObject
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal

+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
    from bec_lib.endpoints import EndpointInfo

@@ -71,7 +73,6 @@ class BECDispatcher:

    _instance = None
    _initialized = False
-    qapp = None

    def __new__(cls, client=None, config: str = None, *args, **kwargs):
        if cls._instance is None:
@@ -79,50 +80,48 @@ class BECDispatcher:
            cls._initialized = False
        return cls._instance

-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: str = None):
+    def __init__(self, client=None, config: str | ServiceConfig = None):
        if self._initialized:
            return

-        if not QCoreApplication.instance():
-            BECDispatcher.qapp = QCoreApplication([])
-
        self._slots = collections.defaultdict(set)
        self.client = client

        if self.client is None:
            if config is not None:
-                host, port = config.split(":")
-                redis_config = {"host": host, "port": port}
-                self.client = BECClient(
-                    config=ServiceConfig(redis=redis_config), connector_cls=QtRedisConnector
-                )  # , forced=True)
-            else:
-                self.client = BECClient(connector_cls=QtRedisConnector)  # , forced=True)
+                if not isinstance(config, ServiceConfig):
+                    # config is supposed to be a path
+                    config = ServiceConfig(config)
+            self.client = BECClient(
+                config=config, connector_cls=QtRedisConnector, name="BECWidgets"
+            )
        else:
            if self.client.started:
                # have to reinitialize client to use proper connector
+                logger.info("Shutting down BECClient to switch to QtRedisConnector")
                self.client.shutdown()
            self.client._BECClient__init_params["connector_cls"] = QtRedisConnector

        try:
            self.client.start()
        except redis.exceptions.ConnectionError:
-            print("Could not connect to Redis, skipping start of BECClient.")
+            logger.warning("Could not connect to Redis, skipping start of BECClient.")

+        logger.success("Initialized BECDispatcher")
        self._initialized = True

    @classmethod
    def reset_singleton(cls):
        cls._instance = None
        cls._initialized = False
-        if cls.qapp:
-            cls.qapp.exit()
-            cls.qapp = None

    def connect_slot(
-        self, slot: Callable, topics: Union[EndpointInfo, str, list[Union[EndpointInfo, str]]]
+        self,
+        slot: Callable,
+        topics: Union[EndpointInfo, str, list[Union[EndpointInfo, str]]],
+        **kwargs,
    ) -> None:
-        """Connect widget's pyqt slot, so that it is called on new pub/sub topic message.
+        """Connect widget's qt slot, so that it is called on new pub/sub topic message.

        Args:
            slot (Callable): A slot method/function that accepts two inputs: content and metadata of
@@ -130,11 +129,18 @@ class BECDispatcher:
            topics (EndpointInfo | str | list): A topic or list of topics that can typically be acquired via bec_lib.MessageEndpoints
        """
        slot = QtThreadSafeCallback(slot)
-        self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=slot)
+        self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=slot, **kwargs)
        topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
        self._slots[slot].update(set(topics_str))

    def disconnect_slot(self, slot: Callable, topics: Union[str, list]):
+        """
+        Disconnect a slot from a topic.
+
+        Args:
+            slot(Callable): The slot to disconnect
+            topics(Union[str, list]): The topic(s) to disconnect from
+        """
        # find the right slot to disconnect from ;
        # slot callbacks are wrapped in QtThreadSafeCallback objects,
        # but the slot we receive here is the original callable
@@ -145,11 +151,17 @@ class BECDispatcher:
            return
        self.client.connector.unregister(topics, cb=connected_slot)
        topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
-        self._slots[slot].difference_update(set(topics_str))
-        if not self._slots[slot]:
-            del self._slots[slot]
+        self._slots[connected_slot].difference_update(set(topics_str))
+        if not self._slots[connected_slot]:
+            del self._slots[connected_slot]

    def disconnect_topics(self, topics: Union[str, list]):
+        """
+        Disconnect all slots from a topic.
+
+        Args:
+            topics(Union[str, list]): The topic(s) to disconnect from
+        """
        self.client.connector.unregister(topics)
        topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
        for slot in list(self._slots.keys()):
@@ -159,4 +171,11 @@ class BECDispatcher:
                del self._slots[slot]

    def disconnect_all(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Disconnect all slots from all topics.
+
+        Args:
+            *args: Arbitrary positional arguments
+            **kwargs: Arbitrary keyword arguments
+        """
        self.disconnect_topics(self.client.connector._topics_cb)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_signal_proxy.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_signal_proxy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+""" This custom class is a thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked.
+Unblocking the proxy needs to be done through the slot unblock_proxy. The most likely use case for this class is
+when the callback function is potentially initiating a slower progress, i.e. requesting a data analysis routine to 
+analyse data. Requesting a new fit may lead to request piling up and an overall slow done of performance. This proxy
+will allow you to decide by yourself when to unblock and execute the callback again."""
+
+from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
+
+
+class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
+    """Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked, but args still being stored
+
+    Args:
+        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
+        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy
+        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
+
+    Example:
+    >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)"""
+
+    is_blocked = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, rateLimit=rateLimit, **kwargs)
+        self._blocking = False
+        self.old_args = None
+        self.new_args = None
+
+    @property
+    def blocked(self):
+        """Returns if the proxy is blocked"""
+        return self._blocking
+
+    @blocked.setter
+    def blocked(self, value: bool):
+        self._blocking = value
+        self.is_blocked.emit(value)
+
+    def signalReceived(self, *args):
+        """Receive signal, store the args and call signalReceived from the parent class if not blocked"""
+        self.new_args = args
+        if self.blocked is True:
+            return
+        self.blocked = True
+        self.old_args = args
+        super().signalReceived(*args)
+
+    @Slot()
+    def unblock_proxy(self):
+        """Unblock the proxy, and call the signalReceived method in case there was an update of the args."""
+        self.blocked = False
+        if self.new_args != self.old_args:
+            self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import darkdetect
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class BECWidget(BECConnector):
+    """Mixin class for all BEC widgets, to handle cleanup"""
+
+    # The icon name is the name of the icon in the icon theme, typically a name taken
+    # from fonts.google.com/icons. Override this in subclasses to set the icon name.
+    ICON_NAME = "widgets"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        client=None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig = None,
+        gui_id: str = None,
+        theme_update: bool = False,
+    ):
+        """
+        Base class for all BEC widgets. This class should be used as a mixin class for all BEC widgets, e.g.:
+
+
+        >>> class MyWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
+        >>>     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
+        >>>         super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        >>>         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+
+        Args:
+            client(BECClient, optional): The BEC client.
+            config(ConnectionConfig, optional): The connection configuration.
+            gui_id(str, optional): The GUI ID.
+            theme_update(bool, optional): Whether to subscribe to theme updates. Defaults to False. When set to True, the
+                widget's apply_theme method will be called when the theme changes.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(self, QWidget):
+            raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+
+        # Set the theme to auto if it is not set yet
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        if not hasattr(app, "theme"):
+            # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
+            # Instead, we will set the theme to the system setting on startup
+            if darkdetect.isDark():
+                set_theme("dark")
+            else:
+                set_theme("light")
+
+        if theme_update:
+            logger.debug(f"Subscribing to theme updates for {self.__class__.__name__}")
+            self._connect_to_theme_change()
+
+    def _connect_to_theme_change(self):
+        """Connect to the theme change signal."""
+        qapp = QApplication.instance()
+        if hasattr(qapp, "theme_signal"):
+            qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self._update_theme)
+
+    def _update_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """Update the theme."""
+        if theme is None:
+            qapp = QApplication.instance()
+            if hasattr(qapp, "theme"):
+                theme = qapp.theme.theme
+            else:
+                theme = "dark"
+        self.apply_theme(theme)
+
+    @Slot(str)
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            theme(str, optional): The theme to be applied.
+        """
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """Cleanup the widget."""
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        try:
+            self.cleanup()
+        finally:
+            super().closeEvent(event)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py
@@ -1,10 +1,89 @@
-import re
-from typing import Literal
+from __future__ import annotations

+import itertools
+import re
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+
+import bec_qthemes
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
+from bec_qthemes._os_appearance.listener import OSThemeSwitchListener
 from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_qthemes._main import AccentColors
+
+
+def get_theme_palette():
+    if QApplication.instance() is None or not hasattr(QApplication.instance(), "theme"):
+        theme = "dark"
+    else:
+        theme = QApplication.instance().theme.theme
+    return bec_qthemes.load_palette(theme)
+
+
+def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
+    """
+    Get the accent colors for the current theme. These colors are extensions of the color palette
+    and are used to highlight specific elements in the UI.
+    """
+    if QApplication.instance() is None or not hasattr(QApplication.instance(), "theme"):
+        return None
+    return QApplication.instance().theme.accent_colors
+
+
+def _theme_update_callback():
+    """
+    Internal callback function to update the theme based on the system theme.
+    """
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    # pylint: disable=protected-access
+    app.theme.theme = app.os_listener._theme.lower()
+    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(app.theme.theme)
+    apply_theme(app.os_listener._theme.lower())
+
+
+def set_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]):
+    """
+    Set the theme for the application.
+
+    Args:
+        theme (Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]): The theme to set. "auto" will automatically switch between dark and light themes based on the system theme.
+    """
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    bec_qthemes.setup_theme(theme, install_event_filter=False)
+
+    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(theme)
+    apply_theme(theme)
+
+    if theme != "auto":
+        return
+
+    if not hasattr(app, "os_listener") or app.os_listener is None:
+        app.os_listener = OSThemeSwitchListener(_theme_update_callback)
+        app.installEventFilter(app.os_listener)
+
+
+def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
+    """
+    Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
+    """
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    # go through all pyqtgraph widgets and set background
+    children = itertools.chain.from_iterable(
+        top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget) for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
+    )
+    pg.setConfigOptions(
+        foreground="d" if theme == "dark" else "k", background="k" if theme == "dark" else "w"
+    )
+    for pg_widget in children:
+        pg_widget.setBackground("k" if theme == "dark" else "w")
+
+    # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
+    style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)
+    app.setStyleSheet(style)


 class Colors:
@@ -55,8 +134,19 @@ class Colors:
        angles = Colors.golden_ratio(len(cmap_colors))
        color_selection = np.round(np.interp(angles, (-np.pi, np.pi), (0, len(cmap_colors))))
        colors = []
-        for ii in color_selection[:num]:
-            color = cmap_colors[int(ii)]
+        ii = 0
+        while len(colors) < num:
+            color_index = int(color_selection[ii])
+            color = cmap_colors[color_index]
+            app = QApplication.instance()
+            if hasattr(app, "theme") and app.theme.theme == "light":
+                background = 255
+            else:
+                background = 0
+            if np.abs(np.mean(color[:3] * 255) - background) < 50:
+                ii += 1
+                continue
+
            if format.upper() == "HEX":
                colors.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
            elif format.upper() == "RGB":
@@ -65,8 +155,47 @@ class Colors:
                colors.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
            else:
                raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
+            ii += 1
        return colors

+    @staticmethod
+    def hex_to_rgba(hex_color: str, alpha=255) -> tuple:
+        """
+        Convert HEX color to RGBA.
+
+        Args:
+            hex_color(str): HEX color string.
+            alpha(int): Alpha value (0-255). Default is 255 (opaque).
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple: RGBA color tuple (r, g, b, a).
+        """
+        hex_color = hex_color.lstrip("#")
+        if len(hex_color) == 6:
+            r, g, b = tuple(int(hex_color[i : i + 2], 16) for i in (0, 2, 4))
+        elif len(hex_color) == 8:
+            r, g, b, a = tuple(int(hex_color[i : i + 2], 16) for i in (0, 2, 4, 6))
+            return (r, g, b, a)
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("HEX color must be 6 or 8 characters long.")
+        return (r, g, b, alpha)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def rgba_to_hex(r: int, g: int, b: int, a: int = 255) -> str:
+        """
+        Convert RGBA color to HEX.
+
+        Args:
+            r(int): Red value (0-255).
+            g(int): Green value (0-255).
+            b(int): Blue value (0-255).
+            a(int): Alpha value (0-255). Default is 255 (opaque).
+
+        Returns:
+            hec_color(str): HEX color string.
+        """
+        return "#{:02X}{:02X}{:02X}{:02X}".format(r, g, b, a)
+
    @staticmethod
    def validate_color(color: tuple | str) -> tuple | str:
        """
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import itertools
 from typing import Type

--- a/bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py
@@ -1,12 +1,24 @@
+from collections import defaultdict
+
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg

 # from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal


+class NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(pg.ScatterPlotItem):
+    def setDownsampling(self, ds=None, auto=None, method=None):
+        pass
+
+    def setClipToView(self, state):
+        pass
+
+
 class Crosshair(QObject):
+    positionChanged = pyqtSignal(tuple)
+    positionClicked = pyqtSignal(tuple)
    # Signal for 1D plot
    coordinatesChanged1D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
    coordinatesClicked1D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
@@ -26,10 +38,13 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
        super().__init__(parent)
        self.is_log_y = None
        self.is_log_x = None
+        self.is_derivative = None
        self.plot_item = plot_item
        self.precision = precision
        self.v_line = pg.InfiniteLine(angle=90, movable=False)
+        self.v_line.skip_auto_range = True
        self.h_line = pg.InfiniteLine(angle=0, movable=False)
+        self.h_line.skip_auto_range = True
        self.plot_item.addItem(self.v_line, ignoreBounds=True)
        self.plot_item.addItem(self.h_line, ignoreBounds=True)
        self.proxy = pg.SignalProxy(
@@ -37,74 +52,76 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
        )
        self.plot_item.scene().sigMouseClicked.connect(self.mouse_clicked)

+        self.plot_item.ctrl.derivativeCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_derivatives)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.downsampleSpin.valueChanged.connect(self.clear_markers)
+
        # Initialize markers
-        self.marker_moved_1d = []
-        self.marker_clicked_1d = []
+        self.marker_moved_1d = {}
+        self.marker_clicked_1d = {}
        self.marker_2d = None
        self.update_markers()

    def update_markers(self):
        """Update the markers for the crosshair, creating new ones if necessary."""

-        # Clear existing markers
-        for marker in self.marker_moved_1d + self.marker_clicked_1d:
-            self.plot_item.removeItem(marker)
-        if self.marker_2d:
-            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.marker_2d)
-
        # Create new markers
-        self.marker_moved_1d = []
-        self.marker_clicked_1d = []
-        self.marker_2d = None
        for item in self.plot_item.items:
            if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
+                if item.name() in self.marker_moved_1d:
+                    continue
                pen = item.opts["pen"]
                color = pen.color() if hasattr(pen, "color") else pg.mkColor(pen)
-                marker_moved = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
+                marker_moved = NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(
                    size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(color), brush=pg.mkBrush(None)
                )
-                marker_clicked = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
-                    size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(None), brush=pg.mkBrush(color)
-                )
-                self.marker_moved_1d.append(marker_moved)
+                marker_moved.skip_auto_range = True
+                self.marker_moved_1d[item.name()] = marker_moved
                self.plot_item.addItem(marker_moved)
+
                # Create glowing effect markers for clicked events
-                marker_clicked_list = []
                for size, alpha in [(18, 64), (14, 128), (10, 255)]:
-                    marker_clicked = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
+                    marker_clicked = NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(
                        size=size,
                        pen=pg.mkPen(None),
                        brush=pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha),
                    )
-                    marker_clicked_list.append(marker_clicked)
+                    marker_clicked.skip_auto_range = True
+                    self.marker_clicked_1d[item.name()] = marker_clicked
                    self.plot_item.addItem(marker_clicked)

-                self.marker_clicked_1d.append(marker_clicked_list)
            elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
+                if self.marker_2d is not None:
+                    continue
                self.marker_2d = pg.ROI(
                    [0, 0], size=[1, 1], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
                )
                self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d)

-    def snap_to_data(self, x, y) -> tuple:
+    def snap_to_data(self, x, y) -> tuple[defaultdict[list], defaultdict[list]]:
        """
        Finds the nearest data points to the given x and y coordinates.

        Args:
-            x: The x-coordinate
-            y: The y-coordinate
+            x: The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            y: The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor

        Returns:
-            tuple: The nearest x and y values
+            tuple: x and y values snapped to the nearest data
        """
-        y_values_1d = []
-        x_values_1d = []
+        y_values = defaultdict(list)
+        x_values = defaultdict(list)
        image_2d = None

        # Iterate through items in the plot
        for item in self.plot_item.items:
            if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
-                x_data, y_data = item.xData, item.yData
+                name = item.name()
+                plot_data = item._getDisplayDataset()
+                if plot_data is None:
+                    continue
+                x_data, y_data = plot_data.x, plot_data.y
                if x_data is not None and y_data is not None:
                    if self.is_log_x:
                        min_x_data = np.min(x_data[x_data > 0])
@@ -112,25 +129,25 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                        min_x_data = np.min(x_data)
                    max_x_data = np.max(x_data)
                    if x < min_x_data or x > max_x_data:
-                        return None, None
+                        y_values[name] = None
+                        x_values[name] = None
+                        continue
                    closest_x, closest_y = self.closest_x_y_value(x, x_data, y_data)
-                    y_values_1d.append(closest_y)
-                    x_values_1d.append(closest_x)
+                    y_values[name] = closest_y
+                    x_values[name] = closest_x
            elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
+                name = item.config.monitor
                image_2d = item.image
+                # clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
+                y_values[name] = int(np.clip(y, 0, image_2d.shape[1] - 1))
+                x_values[name] = int(np.clip(x, 0, image_2d.shape[0] - 1))

-        # Handle 1D plot
-        if y_values_1d:
-            if all(v is None for v in x_values_1d) or all(v is None for v in y_values_1d):
+        if x_values and y_values:
+            if all(v is None for v in x_values.values()) or all(
+                v is None for v in y_values.values()
+            ):
                return None, None
-            closest_x = min(x_values_1d, key=lambda xi: abs(xi - x))  # Snap x to closest data point
-            return closest_x, y_values_1d
-
-        # Handle 2D plot
-        if image_2d is not None:
-            x_idx = int(np.clip(x, 0, image_2d.shape[0] - 1))
-            y_idx = int(np.clip(y, 0, image_2d.shape[1] - 1))
-            return x_idx, y_idx
+            return x_values, y_values

        return None, None

@@ -156,8 +173,9 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
        Args:
            event: The mouse moved event
        """
-        self.check_log()
        pos = event[0]
+        self.update_markers()
+        self.positionChanged.emit((pos.x(), pos.y()))
        if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(pos):
            mouse_point = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(pos)
            self.v_line.setPos(mouse_point.x())
@@ -168,27 +186,34 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                x = 10**x
            if self.is_log_y:
                y = 10**y
-            x, y_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
+            x_snap_values, y_snap_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
+            if x_snap_values is None or y_snap_values is None:
+                return
+            if all(v is None for v in x_snap_values.values()) or all(
+                v is None for v in y_snap_values.values()
+            ):
+                # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
+                return

            for item in self.plot_item.items:
                if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    if x is None or all(v is None for v in y_values):
-                        return
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (
-                        round(x, self.precision),
-                        [round(y_val, self.precision) for y_val in y_values],
-                    )
+                    name = item.name()
+                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
+                    if x is None or y is None:
+                        continue
+                    self.marker_moved_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, round(x, self.precision), round(y, self.precision))
                    self.coordinatesChanged1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
-                    for i, y_val in enumerate(y_values):
-                        self.marker_moved_1d[i].setData(
-                            [x if not self.is_log_x else np.log10(x)],
-                            [y_val if not self.is_log_y else np.log10(y_val)],
-                        )
                elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    if x is None or y_values is None:
-                        return
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (x, y_values)
+                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
+                    if x is None or y is None:
+                        continue
+                    self.marker_2d.setPos([x, y])
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, x, y)
                    self.coordinatesChanged2D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
+                else:
+                    continue

    def mouse_clicked(self, event):
        """Handles the mouse clicked event, updating the crosshair position and emitting signals.
@@ -196,40 +221,69 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
        Args:
            event: The mouse clicked event
        """
-        self.check_log()
+
+        # we only accept left mouse clicks
+        if event.button() != Qt.MouseButton.LeftButton:
+            return
+        self.update_markers()
        if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(event._scenePos):
            mouse_point = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(event._scenePos)
            x, y = mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y()
+            self.positionClicked.emit((x, y))

            if self.is_log_x:
                x = 10**x
            if self.is_log_y:
                y = 10**y
-            x, y_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
+            x_snap_values, y_snap_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
+
+            if x_snap_values is None or y_snap_values is None:
+                return
+            if all(v is None for v in x_snap_values.values()) or all(
+                v is None for v in y_snap_values.values()
+            ):
+                # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
+                return

            for item in self.plot_item.items:
                if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    if x is None or all(v is None for v in y_values):
-                        return
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (
-                        round(x, self.precision),
-                        [round(y_val, self.precision) for y_val in y_values],
-                    )
+                    name = item.name()
+                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
+                    if x is None or y is None:
+                        continue
+                    self.marker_clicked_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, round(x, self.precision), round(y, self.precision))
                    self.coordinatesClicked1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
-                    for i, y_val in enumerate(y_values):
-                        for marker in self.marker_clicked_1d[i]:
-                            marker.setData(
-                                [x if not self.is_log_x else np.log10(x)],
-                                [y_val if not self.is_log_y else np.log10(y_val)],
-                            )
                elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    if x is None or y_values is None:
-                        return
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (x, y_values)
+                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
+                    if x is None or y is None:
+                        continue
+                    self.marker_2d.setPos([x, y])
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, x, y)
                    self.coordinatesClicked2D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
-                    self.marker_2d.setPos([x, y_values])
+                else:
+                    continue
+
+    def clear_markers(self):
+        """Clears the markers from the plot."""
+        for marker in self.marker_moved_1d.values():
+            marker.clear()
+        for marker in self.marker_clicked_1d.values():
+            marker.clear()

    def check_log(self):
        """Checks if the x or y axis is in log scale and updates the internal state accordingly."""
        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+        self.clear_markers()
+
+    def check_derivatives(self):
+        """Checks if the derivatives are enabled and updates the internal state accordingly."""
+        self.is_derivative = self.plot_item.ctrl.derivativeCheck.isChecked()
+        self.clear_markers()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        self.v_line.deleteLater()
+        self.h_line.deleteLater()
+        self.clear_markers()
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class EntryValidator:
        device = self.devices[name]
        description = device.describe()

-        if entry is None:
+        if entry is None or entry == "":
            entry = next(iter(device._hints), name) if hasattr(device, "_hints") else name
        if entry not in description:
            raise ValueError(f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{name}' signals")
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/fps_counter.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/fps_counter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+"""
+This module provides a utility class for counting and reporting frames per second (FPS) in a PyQtGraph application.
+
+Classes:
+    FPSCounter: A class that monitors the paint events of a `ViewBox` to calculate and emit FPS values.
+
+Usage:
+    The `FPSCounter` class can be used to monitor the rendering performance of a `ViewBox` in a PyQtGraph application.
+    It connects to the `ViewBox`'s paint event and calculates the FPS over a specified interval, emitting the FPS value
+    at regular intervals.
+
+Example:
+    from qtpy import QtWidgets, QtCore
+    import pyqtgraph as pg
+    from fps_counter import FPSCounter
+
+    app = pg.mkQApp("FPS Counter Example")
+    win = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+    win.show()
+
+    vb = pg.ViewBox()
+    plot_item = pg.PlotItem(viewBox=vb)
+    win.addItem(plot_item)
+
+    fps_counter = FPSCounter(vb)
+    fps_counter.sigFpsUpdate.connect(lambda fps: print(f"FPS: {fps:.2f}"))
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
+"""
+
+from time import perf_counter
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy import QtCore
+
+
+class FPSCounter(QtCore.QObject):
+    """
+    A utility class for counting and reporting frames per second (FPS).
+
+    This class connects to a `ViewBox`'s paint event to count the number of
+    frames rendered and calculates the FPS over a specified interval. It emits
+    a signal with the FPS value at regular intervals.
+
+    Attributes:
+        sigFpsUpdate (QtCore.Signal): Signal emitted with the FPS value.
+        view_box (pg.ViewBox): The `ViewBox` instance to monitor.
+    """
+
+    sigFpsUpdate = QtCore.Signal(float)
+
+    def __init__(self, view_box):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.view_box = view_box
+        self.view_box.sigPaint.connect(self.increment_count)
+        self.count = 0
+        self.last_update = perf_counter()
+        self.timer = QtCore.QTimer()
+        self.timer.timeout.connect(self.calculate_fps)
+        self.timer.start(1000)
+
+    def increment_count(self):
+        """
+        Increment the frame count when the `ViewBox` is painted.
+        """
+        self.count += 1
+
+    def calculate_fps(self):
+        """
+        Calculate the frames per second (FPS) based on the number of frames
+        """
+        now = perf_counter()
+        elapsed = now - self.last_update
+        fps = self.count / elapsed if elapsed > 0 else 0.0
+        self.last_update = now
+        self.count = 0
+        self.sigFpsUpdate.emit(fps)
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Clean up the FPS counter by stopping the timer and disconnecting the signal.
+        """
+        self.timer.stop()
+        self.timer.timeout.disconnect(self.calculate_fps)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+import inspect
+import os
+import re
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+
+EXCLUDED_PLUGINS = ["BECConnector", "BECDockArea", "BECDock", "BECFigure"]
+
+
+class DesignerPluginInfo:
+    def __init__(self, plugin_class):
+        self.plugin_class = plugin_class
+        self.plugin_name_pascal = plugin_class.__name__
+        self.plugin_name_snake = self.pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
+        self.widget_import = f"from {plugin_class.__module__} import {self.plugin_name_pascal}"
+        plugin_module = (
+            ".".join(plugin_class.__module__.split(".")[:-1]) + f".{self.plugin_name_snake}_plugin"
+        )
+        self.plugin_import = f"from {plugin_module} import {self.plugin_name_pascal}Plugin"
+
+        # first sentence / line of the docstring is used as tooltip
+        self.plugin_tooltip = (
+            plugin_class.__doc__.split("\n")[0].strip().replace('"', "'")
+            if plugin_class.__doc__
+            else self.plugin_name_pascal
+        )
+
+        self.base_path = os.path.dirname(inspect.getfile(plugin_class))
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def pascal_to_snake(name: str) -> str:
+        """
+        Convert PascalCase to snake_case.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): The name to be converted.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The converted name.
+        """
+        s1 = re.sub(r"([a-z0-9])([A-Z])", r"\1_\2", name)
+        s2 = re.sub(r"([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z])", r"\1_\2", s1)
+        return s2.lower()
+
+
+class DesignerPluginGenerator:
+    def __init__(self, widget: type):
+        self._excluded = False
+        self.widget = widget
+        self.info = DesignerPluginInfo(widget)
+        if widget.__name__ in EXCLUDED_PLUGINS:
+
+            self._excluded = True
+            return
+
+        self.templates = {}
+        self.template_path = os.path.join(
+            os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), "plugin_templates"
+        )
+
+    def run(self, validate=True):
+        if self._excluded:
+            print(f"Plugin {self.widget.__name__} is excluded from generation.")
+            return
+        if validate:
+            self._check_class_validity()
+        self._load_templates()
+        self._write_templates()
+
+    def _check_class_validity(self):
+
+        # Check if the widget is a QWidget subclass
+        if not issubclass(self.widget, QObject):
+            return
+
+        # Check if the widget class has parent as the first argument. This is a strict requirement of Qt!
+        signature = list(inspect.signature(self.widget.__init__).parameters.values())
+        if len(signature) == 1 or signature[1].name != "parent":
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must have parent as the first argument."
+            )
+
+        base_cls = [val for val in self.widget.__bases__ if issubclass(val, QObject)]
+        if not base_cls:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must inherit from a QObject subclass."
+            )
+
+        # Check if the widget class calls the super constructor with parent argument
+        init_source = inspect.getsource(self.widget.__init__)
+        cls_init_found = (
+            bool(init_source.find(f"{base_cls[0].__name__}.__init__(self, parent=parent") > 0)
+            or bool(init_source.find(f"{base_cls[0].__name__}.__init__(self, parent)") > 0)
+            or bool(init_source.find(f"{base_cls[0].__name__}.__init__(self, parent,") > 0)
+        )
+        super_init_found = (
+            bool(
+                init_source.find(f"super({base_cls[0].__name__}, self).__init__(parent=parent") > 0
+            )
+            or bool(init_source.find(f"super({base_cls[0].__name__}, self).__init__(parent,") > 0)
+            or bool(init_source.find(f"super({base_cls[0].__name__}, self).__init__(parent)") > 0)
+        )
+        if issubclass(self.widget.__bases__[0], QObject) and not super_init_found:
+            super_init_found = (
+                bool(init_source.find("super().__init__(parent=parent") > 0)
+                or bool(init_source.find("super().__init__(parent,") > 0)
+                or bool(init_source.find("super().__init__(parent)") > 0)
+            )
+
+        if not cls_init_found and not super_init_found:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must call the super constructor with parent."
+            )
+
+    def _write_templates(self):
+        self._write_register()
+        self._write_plugin()
+        self._write_pyproject()
+
+    def _write_register(self):
+        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"register_{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
+        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(self.templates["register"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
+
+    def _write_plugin(self):
+        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
+        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(self.templates["plugin"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
+
+    def _write_pyproject(self):
+        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
+        out = {"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]}
+        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(str(out))
+
+    def _load_templates(self):
+        for file in os.listdir(self.template_path):
+            if not file.endswith(".template"):
+                continue
+            with open(os.path.join(self.template_path, file), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                self.templates[file.split(".")[0]] = f.read()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    # from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.spinner.spinner import SpinnerWidget
+
+    generator = DesignerPluginGenerator(SpinnerWidget)
+    generator.run(validate=False)
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/linear_region_selector.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/linear_region_selector.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+""" Module for a thin wrapper (LinearRegionWrapper) around the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph.
+The class is mainly designed for usage with the BECWaveform and 1D plots. """
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+
+
+class LinearRegionWrapper(QObject):
+    """Wrapper class for the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph for 1D plots (BECWaveform)
+
+    Args:
+        plot_item (pg.PlotItem): The plot item to add the region selector to.
+        parent (QObject): The parent object.
+        color (QColor): The color of the region selector.
+        hover_color (QColor): The color of the region selector when the mouse is over it.
+    """
+
+    # Signal with the region tuble (start, end)
+    region_changed = Signal(tuple)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem, color: QColor = None, hover_color: QColor = None, parent=None
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.is_log_x = None
+        self._edge_width = 2
+        self.plot_item = plot_item
+        self.linear_region_selector = pg.LinearRegionItem()
+        self.proxy = None
+        self.change_roi_color((color, hover_color))
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+
+    # Slot for changing the color of the region selector (edge and fill)
+    @Slot(tuple)
+    def change_roi_color(self, colors: tuple[QColor | str | tuple, QColor | str | tuple]):
+        """Change the color and hover color of the region selector.
+        Hover color means the color when the mouse is over the region.
+
+        Args:
+            colors (tuple): Tuple with the color and hover color
+        """
+        color, hover_color = colors
+        if color is not None:
+            self.linear_region_selector.setBrush(pg.mkBrush(color))
+        if hover_color is not None:
+            self.linear_region_selector.setHoverBrush(pg.mkBrush(hover_color))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def add_region_selector(self):
+        """Add the region selector to the plot item"""
+        self.plot_item.addItem(self.linear_region_selector)
+        # Use proxy to limit the update rate of the region change signal to 10Hz
+        self.proxy = pg.SignalProxy(
+            self.linear_region_selector.sigRegionChanged,
+            rateLimit=10,
+            slot=self._region_change_proxy,
+        )
+
+    @Slot()
+    def remove_region_selector(self):
+        """Remove the region selector from the plot item"""
+        self.proxy.disconnect()
+        self.proxy = None
+        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.linear_region_selector)
+
+    def _region_change_proxy(self):
+        """Emit the region change signal. If the plot is in log mode, convert the region to log."""
+        x_low, x_high = self.linear_region_selector.getRegion()
+        if self.is_log_x:
+            x_low = 10**x_low
+            x_high = 10**x_high
+        self.region_changed.emit((x_low, x_high))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def check_log(self):
+        """Check if the plot is in log mode."""
+        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
+        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """Cleanup the widget."""
+        self.remove_region_selector()
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/plot_indicator_items.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/plot_indicator_items.py
@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+"""Module to create an arrow item for a pyqtgraph plot"""
+
+import numpy as np
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QPointF, Signal, Slot
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class BECIndicatorItem(QObject):
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self.accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self.plot_item = plot_item
+        self._item_on_plot = False
+        self._pos = None
+        self.is_log_x = False
+        self.is_log_y = False
+
+    @property
+    def item_on_plot(self) -> bool:
+        """Returns if the item is on the plot"""
+        return self._item_on_plot
+
+    @item_on_plot.setter
+    def item_on_plot(self, value: bool) -> None:
+        self._item_on_plot = value
+
+    def add_to_plot(self) -> None:
+        """Add the item to the plot"""
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method add_to_plot not implemented")
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self) -> None:
+        """Remove the item from the plot"""
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method remove_from_plot not implemented")
+
+    def set_position(self, pos) -> None:
+        """This method should implement the logic to set the position of the
+        item on the plot. Depending on the child class, the position can be
+        a tuple (x,y) or a single value, i.e. x position where y position is fixed.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method set_position not implemented")
+
+    def check_log(self):
+        """Checks if the x or y axis is in log scale and updates the internal state accordingly."""
+        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
+        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+        self.set_position(self._pos)
+
+
+class BECTickItem(BECIndicatorItem):
+    """Class to create a tick item which can be added to a pyqtgraph plot.
+    The tick item will be added to the layout of the plot item and can be used to indicate
+    a position"""
+
+    position_changed = Signal(float)
+    position_changed_str = Signal(str)
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(plot_item=plot_item, parent=parent)
+        self.tick_item = pg.TickSliderItem(
+            parent=parent, allowAdd=False, allowRemove=False, orientation="bottom"
+        )
+        self.tick_item.skip_auto_range = True
+        self.tick = None
+        self._pos = 0.0
+        self._range = [0, 1]
+
+    @Slot(float)
+    def set_position(self, pos: float) -> None:
+        """Set the x position of the tick item
+
+        Args:
+            pos (float): The position of the tick item.
+        """
+        if self.is_log_x is True:
+            pos = pos if pos > 0 else 1e-10
+            pos = np.log10(pos)
+        self._pos = pos
+        view_box = self.plot_item.getViewBox()  # Ensure you're accessing the correct view box
+        view_range = view_box.viewRange()[0]
+        self.update_range(self.plot_item.vb, view_range)
+        self.position_changed.emit(pos)
+        self.position_changed_str.emit(str(pos))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def update_range(self, _, view_range: tuple[float, float]) -> None:
+        """Update the range of the tick item
+
+        Args:
+            vb (pg.ViewBox): The view box.
+            viewRange (tuple): The view range.
+        """
+        if self._pos < view_range[0] or self._pos > view_range[1]:
+            self.tick_item.setVisible(False)
+        else:
+            self.tick_item.setVisible(True)
+
+        if self.tick_item.isVisible():
+            origin = self.tick_item.tickSize / 2.0
+            length = self.tick_item.length
+
+            length_with_padding = length + self.tick_item.tickSize + 2
+
+            self._range = view_range
+            tick_with_padding = (self._pos - view_range[0]) / (view_range[1] - view_range[0])
+            tick_value = (tick_with_padding * length_with_padding - origin) / length
+            self.tick_item.setTickValue(self.tick, tick_value)
+
+    def add_to_plot(self):
+        """Add the tick item to the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is None:
+            return
+
+        self.plot_item.layout.addItem(self.tick_item, 2, 1)
+        self.tick_item.setOrientation("top")
+        self.tick = self.tick_item.addTick(0, movable=False, color=self.accent_colors.highlight)
+        self.update_tick_pos_y()
+        self.plot_item.vb.sigXRangeChanged.connect(self.update_range)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.vb.geometryChanged.connect(self.update_tick_pos_y)
+        self.item_on_plot = True
+
+    @Slot()
+    def update_tick_pos_y(self):
+        """Update tick position, while respecting the tick_item coordinates"""
+        pos = self.tick.pos()
+        pos = self.tick_item.mapToParent(pos)
+        new_pos = self.plot_item.vb.geometry().bottom()
+        new_pos = self.tick_item.mapFromParent(QPointF(pos.x(), new_pos))
+        self.tick.setPos(new_pos)
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self):
+        """Remove the tick item from the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is not None and self.item_on_plot is True:
+            self.plot_item.vb.sigXRangeChanged.disconnect(self.update_range)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            if self.plot_item.layout is not None:
+                self.plot_item.layout.removeItem(self.tick_item)
+        self.item_on_plot = False
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the item"""
+        self.remove_from_plot()
+        if self.tick_item is not None:
+            self.tick_item.close()
+            self.tick_item.deleteLater()
+            self.tick_item = None
+
+
+class BECArrowItem(BECIndicatorItem):
+    """Class to create an arrow item which can be added to a pyqtgraph plot.
+    It can be either added directly to a view box or a plot item.
+    To add the arrow item to a view box or plot item, use the add_to_plot method.
+
+    Args:
+        view_box (pg.ViewBox | pg.PlotItem): The view box or plot item to which the arrow item should be added.
+        parent (QObject): The parent object.
+
+    Signals:
+        position_changed (tuple[float, float]): Signal emitted when the position of the arrow item has changed.
+        position_changed_str (tuple[str, str]): Signal emitted when the position of the arrow item has changed.
+    """
+
+    # Signal to emit if the position of the arrow item has changed
+    position_changed = Signal(tuple)
+    position_changed_str = Signal(tuple)
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(plot_item=plot_item, parent=parent)
+        self.arrow_item = pg.ArrowItem(parent=parent)
+        self.arrow_item.skip_auto_range = True
+        self._pos = (0, 0)
+        self.arrow_item.setVisible(False)
+
+    @Slot(dict)
+    def set_style(self, style: dict) -> None:
+        """Set the style of the arrow item
+
+        Args:
+            style (dict): The style of the arrow item. Dictionary with key,
+                          value pairs which are accepted from the pg.ArrowItem.setStyle method.
+        """
+        self.arrow_item.setStyle(**style)
+
+    @Slot(tuple)
+    def set_position(self, pos: tuple[float, float]) -> None:
+        """Set the position of the arrow item
+
+        Args:
+            pos (tuple): The position of the arrow item as a tuple (x, y).
+        """
+        self._pos = pos
+        pos_x = pos[0]
+        pos_y = pos[1]
+        if self.is_log_x is True:
+            pos_x = np.log10(pos_x) if pos_x > 0 else 1e-10
+            view_box = self.plot_item.getViewBox()  # Ensure you're accessing the correct view box
+            view_range = view_box.viewRange()[0]
+            # Avoid values outside the view range in the negative direction. Otherwise, there is
+            # a buggy behaviour of the arrow item and it appears at the wrong position.
+            if pos_x < view_range[0]:
+                pos_x = view_range[0]
+        if self.is_log_y is True:
+            pos_y = np.log10(pos_y) if pos_y > 0 else 1e-10
+
+        self.arrow_item.setPos(pos_x, pos_y)
+        self.position_changed.emit(self._pos)
+        self.position_changed_str.emit((str(self._pos[0]), str(self._pos[1])))
+
+    def add_to_plot(self):
+        """Add the arrow item to the view box or plot item."""
+        if not self.arrow_item:
+            logger.warning(f"Arrow item was already destroyed, cannot be created")
+            return
+
+        self.arrow_item.setStyle(
+            angle=-90,
+            pen=pg.mkPen(self.accent_colors.emergency, width=1),
+            brush=pg.mkBrush(self.accent_colors.highlight),
+            headLen=20,
+        )
+        self.arrow_item.setVisible(True)
+        if self.plot_item is not None:
+            self.plot_item.addItem(self.arrow_item)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+            self.item_on_plot = True
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self):
+        """Remove the arrow item from the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is not None and self.item_on_plot is True:
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.arrow_item)
+        self.item_on_plot = False
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the item"""
+        self.remove_from_plot()
+        self.arrow_item = None
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/plugin.template
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/plugin.template
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+{widget_import}
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='{plugin_name_pascal}' name='{plugin_name_snake}'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class {plugin_name_pascal}Plugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = {plugin_name_pascal}(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return ""
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon({plugin_name_pascal}.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "{plugin_name_snake}"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "{plugin_name_pascal}"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "{plugin_tooltip}"
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/register.template
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/register.template
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    {plugin_import}
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget({plugin_name_pascal}Plugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
-from typing import Literal
+from dataclasses import dataclass

 from bec_lib.plugin_helper import _get_available_plugins
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGraphicsWidget, QWidget

 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget


 def get_plugin_widgets() -> dict[str, BECConnector]:
@@ -44,9 +45,74 @@ def _filter_plugins(obj):
    return inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, BECConnector)


-def get_rpc_classes(
-    repo_name: str,
-) -> dict[Literal["connector_classes", "top_level_classes"], list[type]]:
+@dataclass
+class BECClassInfo:
+    name: str
+    module: str
+    file: str
+    obj: type
+    is_connector: bool = False
+    is_widget: bool = False
+    is_top_level: bool = False
+
+
+class BECClassContainer:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._collection = []
+
+    def add_class(self, class_info: BECClassInfo):
+        """
+        Add a class to the collection.
+
+        Args:
+            class_info(BECClassInfo): The class information
+        """
+        self.collection.append(class_info)
+
+    @property
+    def collection(self):
+        """
+        Get the collection of classes.
+        """
+        return self._collection
+
+    @property
+    def connector_classes(self):
+        """
+        Get all connector classes.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_connector]
+
+    @property
+    def top_level_classes(self):
+        """
+        Get all top-level classes.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level]
+
+    @property
+    def plugins(self):
+        """
+        Get all plugins. These are all classes that are on the top level and are widgets.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget and info.is_top_level]
+
+    @property
+    def widgets(self):
+        """
+        Get all widgets. These are all classes inheriting from BECWidget.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget]
+
+    @property
+    def rpc_top_level_classes(self):
+        """
+        Get all top-level classes that are RPC-enabled. These are all classes that users can choose from.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level and info.is_connector]
+
+
+def get_rpc_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
    """
    Get all RPC-enabled classes in the specified repository.

@@ -56,8 +122,7 @@ def get_rpc_classes(
    Returns:
        dict: A dictionary with keys "connector_classes" and "top_level_classes" and values as lists of classes.
    """
-    connector_classes = []
-    top_level_classes = []
+    collection = BECClassContainer()
    anchor_module = importlib.import_module(f"{repo_name}.widgets")
    directory = os.path.dirname(anchor_module.__file__)
    for root, _, files in sorted(os.walk(directory)):
@@ -78,11 +143,16 @@ def get_rpc_classes(
                obj = getattr(module, name)
                if not hasattr(obj, "__module__") or obj.__module__ != module.__name__:
                    continue
-                if isinstance(obj, type) and issubclass(obj, BECConnector):
-                    connector_classes.append(obj)
+                if isinstance(obj, type):
+                    class_info = BECClassInfo(name=name, module=module_name, file=path, obj=obj)
+                    if issubclass(obj, BECConnector):
+                        class_info.is_connector = True
+                    if issubclass(obj, BECWidget):
+                        class_info.is_widget = True
                    if len(subs) == 1 and (
                        issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, QGraphicsWidget)
                    ):
-                        top_level_classes.append(obj)
+                        class_info.is_top_level = True
+                    collection.add_class(class_info)

-    return {"connector_classes": connector_classes, "top_level_classes": top_level_classes}
+    return collection
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/reference_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/reference_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+import os
+import sys
+
+from PIL import Image, ImageChops
+from qtpy.QtGui import QPixmap
+
+import bec_widgets
+
+REFERENCE_DIR = os.path.join(
+    os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)), "tests/references"
+)
+REFERENCE_DIR_FAILURES = os.path.join(
+    os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)), "tests/reference_failures"
+)
+
+
+def compare_images(image1_path: str, reference_image_path: str):
+    """
+    Load two images and compare them pixel by pixel
+
+    Args:
+        image1_path(str): The path to the first image
+        reference_image_path(str): The path to the reference image
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the images are different
+    """
+    image1 = Image.open(image1_path)
+    image2 = Image.open(reference_image_path)
+    if image1.size != image2.size:
+        raise ValueError("Image size has changed")
+    diff = ImageChops.difference(image1, image2)
+    if diff.getbbox():
+        # copy image1 to the reference directory to upload as artifact
+        os.makedirs(REFERENCE_DIR_FAILURES, exist_ok=True)
+        image_name = os.path.join(REFERENCE_DIR_FAILURES, os.path.basename(image1_path))
+        image1.save(image_name)
+        print(f"Image saved to {image_name}")
+
+        raise ValueError("Images are different")
+
+
+def snap_and_compare(widget: any, output_directory: str, suffix: str = ""):
+    """
+    Save a rendering of a widget and compare it to a reference image
+
+    Args:
+        widget(any): The widget to render
+        output_directory(str): The directory to save the image to
+        suffix(str): A suffix to append to the image name
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the images are different
+
+    Examples:
+        snap_and_compare(widget, tmpdir, suffix="started")
+
+    """
+
+    if not isinstance(output_directory, str):
+        output_directory = str(output_directory)
+
+    os_suffix = sys.platform
+
+    name = (
+        f"{widget.__class__.__name__}_{suffix}_{os_suffix}.png"
+        if suffix
+        else f"{widget.__class__.__name__}_{os_suffix}.png"
+    )
+
+    # Save the widget to a pixmap
+    test_image_path = os.path.join(output_directory, name)
+    pixmap = QPixmap(widget.size())
+    widget.render(pixmap)
+    pixmap.save(test_image_path)
+
+    try:
+        reference_path = os.path.join(REFERENCE_DIR, f"{widget.__class__.__name__}")
+        reference_image_path = os.path.join(reference_path, name)
+
+        if not os.path.exists(reference_image_path):
+            raise ValueError(f"Reference image not found: {reference_image_path}")
+
+        compare_images(test_image_path, reference_image_path)
+
+    except ValueError:
+        image = Image.open(test_image_path)
+        os.makedirs(REFERENCE_DIR_FAILURES, exist_ok=True)
+        image_name = os.path.join(REFERENCE_DIR_FAILURES, name)
+        image.save(image_name)
+        print(f"Image saved to {image_name}")
+        raise
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/ui_loader.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/ui_loader.py
@@ -1,27 +1,45 @@
-from qtpy import QT_VERSION
+import os
+
+from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6, QT_VERSION
 from qtpy.QtCore import QFile, QIODevice

+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginInfo
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
+
+if PYSIDE6:
+    from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
+
+    class CustomUiLoader(QUiLoader):
+        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict = None):
+            super().__init__(baseinstance)
+            self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
+
+            self.baseinstance = baseinstance
+
+        def createWidget(self, class_name, parent=None, name=""):
+            if class_name in self.custom_widgets:
+                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](parent)
+                widget.setObjectName(name)
+                return widget
+            return super().createWidget(class_name, parent, name)
+

 class UILoader:
-    """Universal UI loader for PyQt5, PyQt6, PySide2, and PySide6."""
+    """Universal UI loader for PyQt6 and PySide6."""

    def __init__(self, parent=None):
        self.parent = parent
-        if QT_VERSION.startswith("5"):
-            # PyQt5 or PySide2
-            from qtpy import uic

-            self.loader = uic.loadUi
-        elif QT_VERSION.startswith("6"):
-            # PyQt6 or PySide6
-            try:
-                from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
+        widgets = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets").top_level_classes

-                self.loader = self.load_ui_pyside6
-            except ImportError:
-                from PyQt6.uic import loadUi
+        self.custom_widgets = {widget.__name__: widget for widget in widgets}

-                self.loader = loadUi
+        if PYSIDE6:
+            self.loader = self.load_ui_pyside6
+        elif PYQT6:
+            self.loader = self.load_ui_pyqt6
+        else:
+            raise ImportError("No compatible Qt bindings found.")

    def load_ui_pyside6(self, ui_file, parent=None):
        """
@@ -33,9 +51,8 @@ class UILoader:
        Returns:
            QWidget: The loaded widget.
        """
-        from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader

-        loader = QUiLoader(parent)
+        loader = CustomUiLoader(parent, self.custom_widgets)
        file = QFile(ui_file)
        if not file.open(QIODevice.ReadOnly):
            raise IOError(f"Cannot open file: {ui_file}")
@@ -43,6 +60,71 @@ class UILoader:
        file.close()
        return widget

+    def load_ui_pyqt6(self, ui_file, parent=None):
+        """
+        Specific loader for PyQt6 using loadUi.
+        Args:
+            ui_file(str): Path to the .ui file.
+            parent(QWidget): Parent widget.
+
+        Returns:
+            QWidget: The loaded widget.
+        """
+        from PyQt6.uic.Loader.loader import DynamicUILoader
+
+        class CustomDynamicUILoader(DynamicUILoader):
+            def __init__(self, package, custom_widgets: dict = None):
+                super().__init__(package)
+                self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
+
+            def _handle_custom_widgets(self, el):
+                """Handle the <customwidgets> element."""
+
+                def header2module(header):
+                    """header2module(header) -> string
+
+                    Convert paths to C++ header files to according Python modules
+                    >>> header2module("foo/bar/baz.h")
+                    'foo.bar.baz'
+                    """
+
+                    if header.endswith(".h"):
+                        header = header[:-2]
+
+                    mpath = []
+                    for part in header.split("/"):
+                        # Ignore any empty parts or those that refer to the current
+                        # directory.
+                        if part not in ("", "."):
+                            if part == "..":
+                                # We should allow this for Python3.
+                                raise SyntaxError(
+                                    "custom widget header file name may not contain '..'."
+                                )
+
+                            mpath.append(part)
+
+                    return ".".join(mpath)
+
+                for custom_widget in el:
+                    classname = custom_widget.findtext("class")
+                    header = custom_widget.findtext("header")
+                    if header:
+                        header = self._translate_bec_widgets_header(header)
+                    self.factory.addCustomWidget(
+                        classname,
+                        custom_widget.findtext("extends") or "QWidget",
+                        header2module(header),
+                    )
+
+            def _translate_bec_widgets_header(self, header):
+                for name, value in self.custom_widgets.items():
+                    if header == DesignerPluginInfo.pascal_to_snake(name):
+                        return value.__module__
+                return header
+
+        return CustomDynamicUILoader("", self.custom_widgets).loadUi(ui_file, parent)
+
    def load_ui(self, ui_file, parent=None):
        """
        Universal UI loader method.
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py
@@ -44,8 +44,11 @@ class ComboBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
    def get_value(self, widget: QComboBox) -> int:
        return widget.currentIndex()

-    def set_value(self, widget: QComboBox, value: int) -> None:
-        widget.setCurrentIndex(value)
+    def set_value(self, widget: QComboBox, value: int | str) -> None:
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            value = widget.findText(value)
+        if isinstance(value, int):
+            widget.setCurrentIndex(value)


 class TableWidgetHandler(WidgetHandler):
@@ -119,7 +122,7 @@ class WidgetIO:
            widget: Widget instance.
            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
        """
-        handler_class = WidgetIO._handlers.get(type(widget))
+        handler_class = WidgetIO._find_handler(widget)
        if handler_class:
            return handler_class().get_value(widget)  # Instantiate the handler
        if not ignore_errors:
@@ -136,12 +139,48 @@ class WidgetIO:
            value: Value to set.
            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
        """
-        handler_class = WidgetIO._handlers.get(type(widget))
+        handler_class = WidgetIO._find_handler(widget)
        if handler_class:
            handler_class().set_value(widget, value)  # Instantiate the handler
        elif not ignore_errors:
            raise ValueError(f"No handler for widget type: {type(widget)}")

+    @staticmethod
+    def check_and_adjust_limits(spin_box: QDoubleSpinBox, number: float):
+        """
+        Check if the new limits are within the current limits, if not adjust the limits.
+
+        Args:
+            number(float): The new value to check against the limits.
+        """
+
+        min_value = spin_box.minimum()
+        max_value = spin_box.maximum()
+
+        # Calculate the new limits
+        new_limit = number + 5 * number
+
+        if number < min_value:
+            spin_box.setMinimum(new_limit)
+        elif number > max_value:
+            spin_box.setMaximum(new_limit)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _find_handler(widget):
+        """
+        Find the appropriate handler for the widget by checking its base classes.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance.
+
+        Returns:
+            handler_class: The handler class if found, otherwise None.
+        """
+        for base in type(widget).__mro__:
+            if base in WidgetIO._handlers:
+                return WidgetIO._handlers[base]
+        return None
+

 ################## for exporting and importing widget hierarchies ##################

--- a/bec_widgets/utils/yaml_dialog.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/yaml_dialog.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import yaml
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFileDialog


-def load_yaml(instance) -> Union[dict, None]:
+def load_yaml_gui(instance) -> Union[dict, None]:
    """
    Load YAML file from disk.

@@ -20,12 +20,25 @@ def load_yaml(instance) -> Union[dict, None]:
    file_path, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
        instance, "Load Settings", "", "YAML Files (*.yaml *.yml);;All Files (*)", options=options
    )
+    config = load_yaml(file_path)
+    return config

+
+def load_yaml(file_path: str) -> Union[dict, None]:
+    """
+    Load YAML file from disk.
+
+    Args:
+        file_path(str): Path to the YAML file.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: Configuration data loaded from the YAML file.
+    """
    if not file_path:
        return None
    try:
        with open(file_path, "r") as file:
-            config = yaml.safe_load(file)
+            config = yaml.load(file, Loader=yaml.FullLoader)
        return config

    except FileNotFoundError:
@@ -38,7 +51,7 @@ def load_yaml(instance) -> Union[dict, None]:
        print(f"An error occurred while loading the settings from {file_path}: {e}")


-def save_yaml(instance, config: dict) -> None:
+def save_yaml_gui(instance, config: dict) -> None:
    """
    Save YAML file to disk.

@@ -51,6 +64,17 @@ def save_yaml(instance, config: dict) -> None:
        instance, "Save Settings", "", "YAML Files (*.yaml *.yml);;All Files (*)", options=options
    )

+    save_yaml(file_path, config)
+
+
+def save_yaml(file_path: str, config: dict) -> None:
+    """
+    Save YAML file to disk.
+
+    Args:
+        file_path(str): Path to the YAML file.
+        config(dict): Configuration data to be saved.
+    """
    if not file_path:
        return
    try:
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/init.py
@@ -1,5 +1 @@
-# from .buttons import StopButton
-# from .dock import BECDock, BECDockArea
-# from .figure import BECFigure, FigureConfig
-# from .scan_control import ScanControl
-# from .spiral_progress_bar import SpiralProgressBar
+
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/movement_relative/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/movement_relative/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_input_base.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/device_inputs/device_input_base.py
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
 from __future__ import annotations

-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget


 class DeviceInputConfig(ConnectionConfig):
    device_filter: str | list[str] | None = None
-    default_device: str | None = None
+    default: str | None = None
    arg_name: str | None = None


-class DeviceInputBase(BECConnector):
+class DeviceInputBase(BECWidget):
    """
    Mixin class for device input widgets. This class provides methods to get the device list and device object based
    on the current text of the widget.
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECConnector):
        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)

        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+        self._device_filter = None
        self._devices = []

    @property
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECConnector):
        """
        self.validate_device_filter(device_filter)
        self.config.device_filter = device_filter
+        self._device_filter = device_filter

    def set_default_device(self, default_device: str):
        """
@@ -65,7 +68,7 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECConnector):
            default_device(str): Default device name.
        """
        self.validate_device(default_device)
-        self.config.default_device = default_device
+        self.config.default = default_device

    def get_device_list(self, filter: str | list[str] | None = None) -> list[str]:
        """
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/selection/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/motor_control/selection/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progress_bar.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progress_bar.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['bec_progressbar.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progress_bar_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progress_bar_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='BECProgressBar' name='bec_progress_bar'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class BECProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = BECProgressBar(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Utils"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(BECProgressBar.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "bec_progress_bar"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "BECProgressBar"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "A custom progress bar with smooth transitions and a modern design."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progressbar.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/bec_progressbar.py
@@ -0,0 +1,258 @@
+import sys
+from string import Template
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QEasingCurve, QPropertyAnimation, QRectF, Qt, QTimer, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor, QPainter, QPainterPath
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+
+class BECProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """
+    A custom progress bar with smooth transitions. The displayed text can be customized using a template.
+    """
+
+    USER_ACCESS = [
+        "set_value",
+        "set_maximum",
+        "set_minimum",
+        "label_template",
+        "label_template.setter",
+    ]
+    ICON_NAME = "page_control"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+
+        # internal values
+        self._oversampling_factor = 50
+        self._value = 0
+        self._target_value = 0
+        self._maximum = 100 * self._oversampling_factor
+
+        # User values
+        self._user_value = 0
+        self._user_minimum = 0
+        self._user_maximum = 100
+        self._label_template = "$value / $maximum - $percentage %"
+
+        # Color settings
+        self._background_color = QColor(30, 30, 30)
+        self._progress_color = accent_colors.highlight  # QColor(210, 55, 130)
+
+        self._completed_color = accent_colors.success
+        self._border_color = QColor(50, 50, 50)
+
+        # layout settings
+        self._value_animation = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"_progressbar_value")
+        self._value_animation.setDuration(200)
+        self._value_animation.setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve.Type.OutCubic)
+
+        # label on top of the progress bar
+        self.center_label = QLabel(self)
+        self.center_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
+        self.center_label.setStyleSheet("color: white;")
+        self.center_label.setMinimumSize(0, 0)
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(0)
+        layout.addWidget(self.center_label)
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+        self.update()
+
+    @Property(str, doc="The template for the center label. Use $value, $maximum, and $percentage.")
+    def label_template(self):
+        """
+        The template for the center label. Use $value, $maximum, and $percentage to insert the values.
+
+        Examples:
+        >>> progressbar.label_template = "$value / $maximum - $percentage %"
+        >>> progressbar.label_template = "$value / $percentage %"
+
+        """
+        return self._label_template
+
+    @label_template.setter
+    def label_template(self, template):
+        self._label_template = template
+        self.set_value(self._user_value)
+        self.update()
+
+    @Property(float, designable=False)
+    def _progressbar_value(self):
+        """
+        The current value of the progress bar.
+        """
+        return self._value
+
+    @_progressbar_value.setter
+    def _progressbar_value(self, val):
+        self._value = val
+        self.update()
+
+    def _update_template(self):
+        template = Template(self._label_template)
+        return template.safe_substitute(
+            value=self._user_value,
+            maximum=self._user_maximum,
+            percentage=int((self.map_value(self._user_value) / self._maximum) * 100),
+        )
+
+    @Slot(float)
+    @Slot(int)
+    def set_value(self, value):
+        """
+        Set the value of the progress bar.
+
+        Args:
+            value (float): The value to set.
+        """
+        if value > self._user_maximum:
+            value = self._user_maximum
+        elif value < self._user_minimum:
+            value = self._user_minimum
+        self._target_value = self.map_value(value)
+        self._user_value = value
+        self.center_label.setText(self._update_template())
+        self.animate_progress()
+
+    def paintEvent(self, event):
+        painter = QPainter(self)
+        painter.setRenderHint(QPainter.Antialiasing)
+        rect = self.rect().adjusted(10, 0, -10, -1)
+
+        # Draw background
+        painter.setBrush(self._background_color)
+        painter.setPen(Qt.NoPen)
+        painter.drawRoundedRect(rect, 10, 10)  # Rounded corners
+
+        # Draw border
+        painter.setBrush(Qt.NoBrush)
+        painter.setPen(self._border_color)
+        painter.drawRoundedRect(rect, 10, 10)
+
+        # Determine progress color based on completion
+        if self._value >= self._maximum:
+            current_color = self._completed_color
+        else:
+            current_color = self._progress_color
+
+        # Set clipping region to preserve the background's rounded corners
+        progress_rect = rect.adjusted(
+            0, 0, int(-rect.width() + (self._value / self._maximum) * rect.width()), 0
+        )
+        clip_path = QPainterPath()
+        clip_path.addRoundedRect(QRectF(rect), 10, 10)  # Clip to the background's rounded corners
+        painter.setClipPath(clip_path)
+
+        # Draw progress bar
+        painter.setBrush(current_color)
+        painter.drawRect(progress_rect)  # Less rounded, no additional rounding
+
+        painter.end()
+
+    def animate_progress(self):
+        """
+        Animate the progress bar from the current value to the target value.
+        """
+        self._value_animation.stop()
+        self._value_animation.setStartValue(self._value)
+        self._value_animation.setEndValue(self._target_value)
+        self._value_animation.start()
+
+    @Property(float)
+    def maximum(self):
+        """
+        The maximum value of the progress bar.
+        """
+        return self._user_maximum
+
+    @maximum.setter
+    def maximum(self, maximum: float):
+        """
+        Set the maximum value of the progress bar.
+        """
+        self.set_maximum(maximum)
+
+    @Property(float)
+    def minimum(self):
+        """
+        The minimum value of the progress bar.
+        """
+        return self._user_minimum
+
+    @minimum.setter
+    def minimum(self, minimum: float):
+        self.set_minimum(minimum)
+
+    @Property(float)
+    def initial_value(self):
+        """
+        The initial value of the progress bar.
+        """
+        return self._user_value
+
+    @initial_value.setter
+    def initial_value(self, value: float):
+        self.set_value(value)
+
+    @Slot(float)
+    def set_maximum(self, maximum: float):
+        """
+        Set the maximum value of the progress bar.
+
+        Args:
+            maximum (float): The maximum value.
+        """
+        self._user_maximum = maximum
+        self.set_value(self._user_value)  # Update the value to fit the new range
+        self.update()
+
+    @Slot(float)
+    def set_minimum(self, minimum: float):
+        """
+        Set the minimum value of the progress bar.
+
+        Args:
+            minimum (float): The minimum value.
+        """
+        self._user_minimum = minimum
+        self.set_value(self._user_value)  # Update the value to fit the new range
+        self.update()
+
+    def map_value(self, value: float):
+        """
+        Map the user value to the range [0, 100*self._oversampling_factor] for the progress
+        """
+        return (
+            (value - self._user_minimum) / (self._user_maximum - self._user_minimum) * self._maximum
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+
+    progressBar = BECProgressBar()
+    progressBar.show()
+    progressBar.set_minimum(-100)
+    progressBar.set_maximum(0)
+
+    # Example of setting values
+    def update_progress():
+        value = progressBar._user_value + 2.5
+        if value > progressBar._user_maximum:
+            value = -100  # progressBar._maximum / progressBar._upsampling_factor
+        progressBar.set_value(value)
+
+    timer = QTimer()
+    timer.timeout.connect(update_progress)
+    timer.start(200)  # Update every half second
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec())
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/register_bec_progress_bar.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_progressbar/register_bec_progress_bar.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_progressbar.bec_progress_bar_plugin import BECProgressBarPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECProgressBarPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue.py
@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHeaderView, QLabel, QTableWidget, QTableWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import ModularToolBar, SeparatorAction, WidgetAction
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_abort.button_abort import AbortButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_reset.button_reset import ResetButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_resume.button_resume import ResumeButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
+
+
+class BECQueue(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
+    """
+    Widget to display the BEC queue.
+    """
+
+    ICON_NAME = "edit_note"
+    status_colors = {
+        "STOPPED": "red",
+        "PENDING": "orange",
+        "IDLE": "gray",
+        "PAUSED": "yellow",
+        "DEFERRED_PAUSE": "lightyellow",
+        "RUNNING": "green",
+        "COMPLETED": "blue",
+    }
+
+    queue_busy = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: QWidget | None = None,
+        client=None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig = None,
+        gui_id: str = None,
+        refresh_upon_start: bool = True,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(client, config, gui_id)
+        CompactPopupWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent, layout=QVBoxLayout)
+        self.layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+
+        # Set up the toolbar
+        self.set_toolbar()
+        # Set up the table
+        self.table = QTableWidget(self)
+        # self.layout.addWidget(self.table)
+        self.table.setColumnCount(4)
+        self.table.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["Scan Number", "Type", "Status", "Cancel"])
+        header = self.table.horizontalHeader()
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(QHeaderView.Stretch)
+
+        self.addWidget(self.table)
+        self.label = "BEC Queue"
+        self.tooltip = "BEC Queue status"
+
+        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.update_queue, MessageEndpoints.scan_queue_status())
+        self.reset_content()
+        if refresh_upon_start:
+            self.refresh_queue()
+
+    def set_toolbar(self):
+        """
+        Set the toolbar.
+        """
+        widget_label = QLabel("Live Queue")
+        widget_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(
+            actions={
+                "widget_label": WidgetAction(widget=widget_label),
+                "separator_1": SeparatorAction(),
+                "resume": WidgetAction(widget=ResumeButton(toolbar=False)),
+                "stop": WidgetAction(widget=StopButton(toolbar=False)),
+                "reset": WidgetAction(widget=ResetButton(toolbar=False)),
+            },
+            target_widget=self,
+        )
+
+        self.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def hide_toolbar(self):
+        """Property to hide the BEC Queue toolbar."""
+        return not self.toolbar.isVisible()
+
+    @hide_toolbar.setter
+    def hide_toolbar(self, hide: bool):
+        """
+        Setters for the hide_toolbar property.
+
+        Args:
+            hide(bool): Whether to hide the toolbar.
+        """
+        self._hide_toolbar(hide)
+
+    def _hide_toolbar(self, hide: bool):
+        """
+        Hide the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            hide(bool): Whether to hide the toolbar.
+        """
+        self.toolbar.setVisible(not hide)
+
+    def refresh_queue(self):
+        """
+        Refresh the queue.
+        """
+        msg = self.client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.scan_queue_status())
+        if msg is None:
+            # msg is None if no scan has been run yet (fresh start)
+            return
+        self.update_queue(msg.content, msg.metadata)
+
+    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    def update_queue(self, content, _metadata):
+        """
+        Update the queue table with the latest queue information.
+
+        Args:
+            content (dict): The queue content.
+            _metadata (dict): The metadata.
+        """
+        # only show the primary queue for now
+        queue_info = content.get("queue", {}).get("primary", {}).get("info", [])
+        self.table.setRowCount(len(queue_info))
+        self.table.clearContents()
+
+        if not queue_info:
+            self.reset_content()
+            return
+
+        for index, item in enumerate(queue_info):
+            blocks = item.get("request_blocks", [])
+            scan_types = []
+            scan_numbers = []
+            scan_ids = []
+            status = item.get("status", "")
+            for request_block in blocks:
+                scan_type = request_block.get("content", {}).get("scan_type", "")
+                if scan_type:
+                    scan_types.append(scan_type)
+                scan_number = request_block.get("scan_number", "")
+                if scan_number:
+                    scan_numbers.append(str(scan_number))
+                scan_id = request_block.get("scan_id", "")
+                if scan_id:
+                    scan_ids.append(scan_id)
+            if scan_types:
+                scan_types = ", ".join(scan_types)
+            if scan_numbers:
+                scan_numbers = ", ".join(scan_numbers)
+            if scan_ids:
+                scan_ids = ", ".join(scan_ids)
+            self.set_row(index, scan_numbers, scan_types, status, scan_ids)
+        busy = (
+            False
+            if all(item.get("status") in ("STOPPED", "COMPLETED", "IDLE") for item in queue_info)
+            else True
+        )
+        self.set_global_state("warning" if busy else "default")
+        self.queue_busy.emit(busy)
+
+    def format_item(self, content: str, status=False) -> QTableWidgetItem:
+        """
+        Format the content of the table item.
+
+        Args:
+            content (str): The content to be formatted.
+
+        Returns:
+            QTableWidgetItem: The formatted item.
+        """
+        if not content or not isinstance(content, str):
+            content = ""
+        item = QTableWidgetItem(content)
+        item.setTextAlignment(Qt.AlignHCenter | Qt.AlignVCenter)
+        # item.setFlags(item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsEditable)
+
+        if status:
+            try:
+                color = self.status_colors.get(content, "black")  # Default to black if not found
+                item.setForeground(QColor(color))
+            except:
+                return item
+        return item
+
+    def set_row(self, index: int, scan_number: str, scan_type: str, status: str, scan_id: str):
+        """
+        Set the row of the table.
+
+        Args:
+            index (int): The index of the row.
+            scan_number (str): The scan number.
+            scan_type (str): The scan type.
+            status (str): The status.
+        """
+        abort_button = self._create_abort_button(scan_id)
+        abort_button.button.clicked.connect(self.delete_selected_row)
+
+        self.table.setItem(index, 0, self.format_item(scan_number))
+        self.table.setItem(index, 1, self.format_item(scan_type))
+        self.table.setItem(index, 2, self.format_item(status, status=True))
+        self.table.setCellWidget(index, 3, abort_button)
+
+    def _create_abort_button(self, scan_id: str) -> AbortButton:
+        """
+        Create an abort button with styling for BEC Queue widget for certain scan_id.
+
+        Args:
+            scan_id(str): The scan id to abort.
+
+        Returns:
+            AbortButton: The abort button.
+        """
+        abort_button = AbortButton(scan_id=scan_id)
+
+        abort_button.button.setText("")
+        abort_button.button.setIcon(
+            material_icon("cancel", color="#cc181e", filled=True, convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        abort_button.button.setStyleSheet("background-color:  rgba(0,0,0,0) ")
+        abort_button.button.setFlat(True)
+
+        return abort_button
+
+    def delete_selected_row(self):
+
+        button = self.sender()
+        row = self.table.indexAt(button.pos()).row()
+        self.table.removeRow(row)
+
+        button.deleteLater()
+
+    def reset_content(self):
+        """
+        Reset the content of the table.
+        """
+
+        self.table.setRowCount(1)
+        self.set_row(0, "", "", "", "")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = BECQueue()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['bec_queue.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/bec_queue_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+import os
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='BECQueue' name='bec_queue'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class BECQueuePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = BECQueue(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Services"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(BECQueue.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "bec_queue"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "BECQueue"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "Widget to display the BEC queue."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/register_bec_queue.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_queue/register_bec_queue.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue_plugin import BECQueuePlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECQueuePlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py
@@ -0,0 +1,319 @@
+"""This module contains the BECStatusBox widget, which displays the status of different BEC services in a collapsible tree widget.
+The widget automatically updates the status of all running BEC services, and displays their status.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+from collections import defaultdict
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QTimer, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QTreeWidget, QTreeWidgetItem, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_status_box.status_item import StatusItem
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+
+# TODO : Put normal imports back when Pydantic gets faster
+BECStatus = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.messages", ("BECStatus",))
+
+
+@dataclass
+class BECServiceInfoContainer:
+    """Container to store information about the BEC services."""
+
+    service_name: str
+    status: str
+    info: dict
+    metrics: dict | None
+
+
+class BECServiceStatusMixin(QObject):
+    """Mixin to receive the latest service status from the BEC server and emit it via services_update signal.
+
+    Args:
+        client (BECClient): The client object to connect to the BEC server.
+    """
+
+    services_update = Signal(dict, dict)
+
+    ICON_NAME = "dns"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent, client: BECClient):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.client = client
+        self._service_update_timer = QTimer()
+        self._service_update_timer.timeout.connect(self._get_service_status)
+        self._service_update_timer.start(1000)
+
+    def _get_service_status(self):
+        """Get the latest service status from the BEC server."""
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        self.client._update_existing_services()
+        self.services_update.emit(self.client._services_info, self.client._services_metric)
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """Cleanup the BECServiceStatusMixin."""
+        self._service_update_timer.stop()
+        self._service_update_timer.deleteLater()
+
+
+class BECStatusBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
+    """An autonomous widget to display the status of BEC services.
+
+    Args:
+        parent Optional : The parent widget for the BECStatusBox. Defaults to None.
+        box_name Optional(str): The name of the top service label. Defaults to "BEC Server".
+        client Optional(BECClient): The client object to connect to the BEC server. Defaults to None
+        config Optional(BECStatusBoxConfig | dict): The configuration for the status box. Defaults to None.
+        gui_id Optional(str): The unique id for the widget. Defaults to None.
+    """
+
+    CORE_SERVICES = ["DeviceServer", "ScanServer", "SciHub", "ScanBundler", "FileWriterManager"]
+
+    service_update = Signal(BECServiceInfoContainer)
+    bec_core_state = Signal(str)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        box_name: str = "BEC Servers",
+        client: BECClient = None,
+        bec_service_status_mixin: BECServiceStatusMixin = None,
+        gui_id: str = None,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        CompactPopupWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent, layout=QHBoxLayout)
+
+        self.box_name = box_name
+        self.status_container = defaultdict(lambda: {"info": None, "item": None, "widget": None})
+
+        if not bec_service_status_mixin:
+            bec_service_status_mixin = BECServiceStatusMixin(self, client=self.client)
+        self.bec_service_status = bec_service_status_mixin
+
+        self.label = box_name
+        self.tooltip = "BEC servers health status"
+        self.init_ui()
+        self.bec_service_status.services_update.connect(self.update_service_status)
+        self.bec_core_state.connect(self.update_top_item_status)
+        self.tree.itemDoubleClicked.connect(self.on_tree_item_double_clicked)
+        self.addWidget(self.tree)
+
+    def init_ui(self) -> None:
+        """Init the UI for the BECStatusBox widget, should only take place once."""
+        self.init_ui_tree_widget()
+        top_label = self._create_status_widget(self.box_name, status=BECStatus.IDLE)
+        tree_item = QTreeWidgetItem()
+        tree_item.setExpanded(True)
+        tree_item.setDisabled(True)
+        self.status_container[self.box_name].update({"item": tree_item, "widget": top_label})
+        self.tree.addTopLevelItem(tree_item)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(tree_item, 0, top_label)
+        self.service_update.connect(top_label.update_config)
+        self._initialized = True
+
+    def init_ui_tree_widget(self) -> None:
+        """Initialise the tree widget for the status box."""
+        self.tree = QTreeWidget(self)
+        self.tree.setHeaderHidden(True)
+        # TODO probably here is a problem still with setting the stylesheet
+        self.tree.setStyleSheet(
+            "QTreeWidget::item:!selected "
+            "{ "
+            "border: 1px solid gainsboro; "
+            "border-left: none; "
+            "border-top: none; "
+            "}"
+            "QTreeWidget::item:selected {}"
+        )
+
+    def _create_status_widget(
+        self, service_name: str, status=BECStatus, info: dict = None, metrics: dict = None
+    ) -> StatusItem:
+        """Creates a StatusItem (QWidget) for the given service, and stores all relevant
+        information about the service in the status_container.
+
+        Args:
+            service_name (str): The name of the service.
+            status (BECStatus): The status of the service.
+            info Optional(dict): The information about the service. Default is {}
+            metric Optional(dict): Metrics for the respective service. Default is None
+
+        Returns:
+            StatusItem: The status item widget.
+        """
+        if info is None:
+            info = {}
+        self._update_status_container(service_name, status, info, metrics)
+        item = StatusItem(parent=self, config=self.status_container[service_name]["info"])
+        return item
+
+    @Slot(str)
+    def update_top_item_status(self, status: BECStatus) -> None:
+        """Method to update the status of the top item in the tree widget.
+        Gets the status from the Signal 'bec_core_state' and updates the StatusItem via the signal 'service_update'.
+
+        Args:
+            status (BECStatus): The state of the core services.
+        """
+        self.status_container[self.box_name]["info"].status = status
+        self.set_global_state("emergency" if status == "NOTCONNECTED" else "success")
+        self.service_update.emit(self.status_container[self.box_name]["info"])
+
+    def _update_status_container(
+        self, service_name: str, status: BECStatus, info: dict, metrics: dict = None
+    ) -> None:
+        """Update the status_container with the newest status and metrics for the BEC service.
+        If information about the service already exists, it will create a new entry.
+
+        Args:
+            service_name (str): The name of the service.
+            status (BECStatus): The status of the service.
+            info (dict): The information about the service.
+            metrics (dict): The metrics of the service.
+        """
+        container = self.status_container[service_name].get("info", None)
+
+        if container:
+            container.status = status.name
+            container.info = info
+            container.metrics = metrics
+            return
+        service_info_item = BECServiceInfoContainer(
+            service_name=service_name,
+            status=status.name if isinstance(status, BECStatus) else status,
+            info=info,
+            metrics=metrics,
+        )
+        self.status_container[service_name].update({"info": service_info_item})
+
+    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    def update_service_status(self, services_info: dict, services_metric: dict) -> None:
+        """Callback function services_metric from BECServiceStatusMixin.
+        It updates the status of all services.
+
+        Args:
+            services_info (dict): A dictionary containing the service status for all running BEC services.
+            services_metric (dict): A dictionary containing the service metrics for all running BEC services.
+        """
+        checked = [self.box_name]
+        services_info = self.update_core_services(services_info, services_metric)
+        checked.extend(self.CORE_SERVICES)
+
+        for service_name, msg in sorted(services_info.items()):
+            checked.append(service_name)
+            metric_msg = services_metric.get(service_name, None)
+            metrics = metric_msg.metrics if metric_msg else None
+            if service_name in self.status_container:
+                if not msg:
+                    self.add_tree_item(service_name, "NOTCONNECTED", {}, metrics)
+                    continue
+                self._update_status_container(service_name, msg.status, msg.info, metrics)
+                self.service_update.emit(self.status_container[service_name]["info"])
+                continue
+
+            self.add_tree_item(service_name, msg.status, msg.info, metrics)
+        self.check_redundant_tree_items(checked)
+
+    def update_core_services(self, services_info: dict, services_metric: dict) -> dict:
+        """Update the core services of BEC, and emit the updated status to the BECStatusBox.
+
+        Args:
+            services_info (dict): A dictionary containing the service status of different services.
+            services_metric (dict): A dictionary containing the service metrics of different services.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The services_info dictionary after removing the info updates related to the CORE_SERVICES
+        """
+        core_state = BECStatus.RUNNING
+        for service_name in sorted(self.CORE_SERVICES):
+            metric_msg = services_metric.get(service_name, None)
+            metrics = metric_msg.metrics if metric_msg else None
+            msg = services_info.pop(service_name, None)
+            if service_name not in self.status_container:
+                if not msg:
+                    self.add_tree_item(service_name, "NOTCONNECTED", {}, metrics)
+                    continue
+                self.add_tree_item(service_name, msg.status, msg.info, metrics)
+                continue
+            if not msg:
+                self.status_container[service_name]["info"].status = "NOTCONNECTED"
+                core_state = None
+            else:
+                self._update_status_container(service_name, msg.status, msg.info, metrics)
+                if core_state:
+                    core_state = msg.status if msg.status.value < core_state.value else core_state
+
+            self.service_update.emit(self.status_container[service_name]["info"])
+
+        self.bec_core_state.emit(core_state.name if core_state else "NOTCONNECTED")
+        return services_info
+
+    def check_redundant_tree_items(self, checked: list) -> None:
+        """Utility method to check and remove redundant objects from the BECStatusBox.
+
+        Args:
+            checked (list): A list of services that are currently running.
+        """
+        to_be_deleted = [key for key in self.status_container if key not in checked]
+
+        for key in to_be_deleted:
+            obj = self.status_container.pop(key)
+            item = obj["item"]
+            self.status_container[self.box_name]["item"].removeChild(item)
+
+    def add_tree_item(
+        self, service_name: str, status: BECStatus, info: dict = None, metrics: dict = None
+    ) -> None:
+        """Method to add a new QTreeWidgetItem together with a StatusItem to the tree widget.
+
+        Args:
+            service_name (str): The name of the service.
+            status (BECStatus): The status of the service.
+            info (dict): The information about the service.
+            metrics (dict): The metrics of the service.
+        """
+        item_widget = self._create_status_widget(service_name, status, info, metrics)
+        item = QTreeWidgetItem()
+        self.service_update.connect(item_widget.update_config)
+        self.status_container[self.box_name]["item"].addChild(item)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(item, 0, item_widget)
+        self.status_container[service_name].update({"item": item, "widget": item_widget})
+
+    @Slot(QTreeWidgetItem, int)
+    def on_tree_item_double_clicked(self, item: QTreeWidgetItem, column: int) -> None:
+        """Callback function for double clicks on individual QTreeWidgetItems in the collapsed section.
+
+        Args:
+            item (QTreeWidgetItem): The item that was double clicked.
+            column (int): The column that was double clicked.
+        """
+        for _, objects in self.status_container.items():
+            if objects["item"] == item:
+                objects["widget"].show_popup()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """Cleanup the BECStatusBox widget."""
+        self.bec_service_status.cleanup()
+        return super().cleanup()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    set_theme("dark")
+    main_window = BECStatusBox()
+    main_window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['bec_status_box.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/bec_status_box_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+import os
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='BECStatusBox' name='bec_status_box'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class BECStatusBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = BECStatusBox(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Services"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(BECStatusBox.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "bec_status_box"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "BECStatusBox"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "An autonomous widget to display the status of BEC services."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/register_bec_status_box.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/register_bec_status_box.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_status_box.bec_status_box_plugin import BECStatusBoxPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECStatusBoxPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/status_item.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/bec_status_box/status_item.py
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+""" Module for a StatusItem widget to display status and metrics for a BEC service.
+The widget is bound to be used with the BECStatusBox widget."""
+
+import enum
+import os
+from datetime import datetime
+
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon, QPainter
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+# TODO : Put normal imports back when Pydantic gets faster
+BECStatus = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.messages", ("BECStatus",))
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class IconsEnum(enum.Enum):
+    """Enum class for icons in the status item widget."""
+
+    RUNNING = "done_outline"
+    BUSY = "progress_activity"
+    IDLE = "progress_activity"
+    ERROR = "emergency_home"
+    NOTCONNECTED = "signal_disconnected"
+
+
+class StatusItem(QWidget):
+    """A widget to display the status of a service.
+
+    Args:
+        parent: The parent widget.
+        config (dict): The configuration for the service, must be a BECServiceInfoContainer.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget = None, config=None):
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        if config is None:
+            # needed because we need parent to be the first argument for QT Designer
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Please initialize the StatusItem with a BECServiceInfoContainer for config, received None."
+            )
+        self.accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self.config = config
+        self.parent = parent
+        self.layout = None
+        self._label = None
+        self._icon = None
+        self.icon_size = (24, 24)
+        self._popup_label_ref = {}
+        self.init_ui()
+
+    def init_ui(self) -> None:
+        """Init the UI for the status item widget."""
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        self.setLayout(self.layout)
+        self._label = QLabel()
+        self._icon = QLabel()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self._label)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self._icon)
+        self.update_ui()
+
+    @Slot(dict)
+    def update_config(self, config) -> None:
+        """Update the config of the status item widget.
+
+        Args:
+            config (dict): Config updates from parent widget, must be a BECServiceInfoContainer.
+        """
+        if self.config is None or config.service_name != self.config.service_name:
+            return
+        self.config = config
+        self.update_ui()
+
+    def update_ui(self) -> None:
+        """Update the UI of the labels, and popup dialog."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            return
+        self.set_text()
+        self.set_status()
+        self._set_popup_text()
+
+    def set_text(self) -> None:
+        """Set the text of the QLabel basae on the config."""
+        service = self.config.service_name
+        status = self.config.status
+        if len(service.split("/")) > 1 and service.split("/")[0].startswith("BEC"):
+            service = service.split("/", maxsplit=1)[0] + "/..." + service.split("/")[1][-4:]
+        if status == "NOTCONNECTED":
+            status = "NOT CONNECTED"
+        text = f"{service} is {status}"
+        self._label.setText(text)
+
+    def set_status(self) -> None:
+        """Set the status icon for the status item widget."""
+        status = self.config.status
+        if status in ["RUNNING", "BUSY"]:
+            color = self.accent_colors.success
+        elif status == "IDLE":
+            color = self.accent_colors.warning
+        elif status in ["ERROR", "NOTCONNECTED"]:
+            color = self.accent_colors.emergency
+        icon = QIcon(material_icon(IconsEnum[status].value, filled=True, color=color))
+
+        self._icon.setPixmap(icon.pixmap(*self.icon_size))
+        self._icon.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight)
+
+    def show_popup(self) -> None:
+        """Method that is invoked when the user double clicks on the StatusItem widget."""
+        dialog = QDialog(self)
+        dialog.setWindowTitle(f"{self.config.service_name} Details")
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        popup_label = self._make_popup_label()
+        self._set_popup_text()
+        layout.addWidget(popup_label)
+        dialog.setLayout(layout)
+        dialog.finished.connect(self._cleanup_popup_label)
+        dialog.exec()
+
+    def _make_popup_label(self) -> QLabel:
+        """Create a QLabel for the popup dialog.
+
+        Returns:
+            QLabel: The label for the popup dialog.
+        """
+        label = QLabel()
+        label.setWordWrap(True)
+        self._popup_label_ref.update({"label": label})
+        return label
+
+    def _set_popup_text(self) -> None:
+        """Compile the metrics text for the status item widget."""
+        if self._popup_label_ref.get("label") is None:
+            return
+        metrics_text = (
+            f"<b>SERVICE:</b> {self.config.service_name}<br><b>STATUS:</b> {self.config.status}<br>"
+        )
+        if self.config.metrics:
+            for key, value in self.config.metrics.items():
+                if key == "create_time":
+                    value = datetime.fromtimestamp(value).strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+                metrics_text += f"<b>{key.upper()}:</b> {value}<br>"
+        self._popup_label_ref["label"].setText(metrics_text)
+
+    def _cleanup_popup_label(self) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the popup label."""
+        self._popup_label_ref.clear()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/abort_button.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/abort_button.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['button_abort.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/abort_button_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/abort_button_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_abort.button_abort import AbortButton
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='AbortButton' name='abort_button'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class AbortButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = AbortButton(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Buttons"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(AbortButton.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "abort_button"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "AbortButton"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "A button that abort the scan."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/button_abort.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/button_abort.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """A button that abort the scan."""
+
+    ICON_NAME = "cancel"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, scan_id=None
+    ):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)
+
+        if toolbar:
+            icon = material_icon("cancel", color="#666666", filled=True)
+            self.button = QToolButton(icon=icon)
+            self.button.setToolTip("Abort the scan")
+        else:
+            self.button = QPushButton()
+            self.button.setText("Abort")
+            self.button.setStyleSheet(
+                "background-color:  #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
+            )
+        self.button.clicked.connect(self.abort_scan)
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.button)
+
+        self.scan_id = scan_id
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def abort_scan(
+        self,
+    ):  # , scan_id: str | None = None): #FIXME scan_id will be added when combining with Queue widget
+        """
+        Abort the scan.
+
+        Args:
+            scan_id(str|None): The scan id to abort. If None, the current scan will be aborted.
+        """
+        if self.scan_id is not None:
+            print(f"Aborting scan with scan_id: {self.scan_id}")
+            self.queue.request_scan_abortion(scan_id=self.scan_id)
+        else:
+            self.queue.request_scan_abortion()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/register_abort_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_abort/register_abort_button.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.button_abort.abort_button_plugin import AbortButtonPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(AbortButtonPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/button_reset.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/button_reset.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """A button that resets the scan queue."""
+
+    ICON_NAME = "restart_alt"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)
+
+        if toolbar:
+            icon = material_icon(
+                "restart_alt", color="#F19E39", filled=True, convert_to_pixmap=False
+            )
+            self.button = QToolButton(icon=icon)
+            self.button.setToolTip("Reset the scan queue")
+        else:
+            self.button = QPushButton()
+            self.button.setText("Reset Queue")
+            self.button.setStyleSheet(
+                "background-color:  #F19E39; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
+            )
+        self.button.clicked.connect(self.confirm_reset_queue)
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.button)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def confirm_reset_queue(self):
+        """Prompt the user to confirm the queue reset."""
+        msg_box = QMessageBox()
+        msg_box.setIcon(QMessageBox.Warning)
+        msg_box.setWindowTitle("Confirm Reset")
+        msg_box.setText(
+            "Are you sure you want to reset the scan queue? This action cannot be undone."
+        )
+        msg_box.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No)
+        msg_box.setDefaultButton(QMessageBox.No)
+
+        if msg_box.exec_() == QMessageBox.Yes:
+            self.reset_queue()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def reset_queue(self):
+        """Reset the scan queue."""
+        self.queue.request_queue_reset()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/register_reset_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/register_reset_button.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.button_reset.reset_button_plugin import ResetButtonPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(ResetButtonPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/reset_button.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/reset_button.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['button_reset.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/reset_button_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_reset/reset_button_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_reset.button_reset import ResetButton
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='ResetButton' name='reset_button'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class ResetButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = ResetButton(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Buttons"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(ResetButton.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "reset_button"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "ResetButton"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "A button that reset the scan queue."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/init.py
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/button_resume.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/button_resume.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class ResumeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """A button that continue scan queue."""
+
+    ICON_NAME = "resume"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)
+
+        if toolbar:
+            icon = material_icon("resume", color="#2793e8", filled=True, convert_to_pixmap=False)
+            self.button = QToolButton(icon=icon)
+            self.button.setToolTip("Resume the scan queue")
+        else:
+            self.button = QPushButton()
+            self.button.setText("Resume")
+            self.button.setStyleSheet(
+                "background-color:  #2793e8; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
+            )
+        self.button.clicked.connect(self.continue_scan)
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.button)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def continue_scan(self):
+        """Stop the scan."""
+        self.queue.request_scan_continuation()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/register_resume_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/register_resume_button.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.button_resume.resume_button_plugin import ResumeButtonPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(ResumeButtonPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/resume_button.pyproject
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/resume_button.pyproject
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['button_resume.py']}
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/resume_button_plugin.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/button_resume/resume_button_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.button_resume.button_resume import ResumeButton
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='ResumeButton' name='resume_button'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class ResumeButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = ResumeButton(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Buttons"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(ResumeButton.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "resume_button"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "ResumeButton"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "A button that continue scan queue."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/init.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/init.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-from .stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QPushButton
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
-
-
-class StopButton(BECConnector, QPushButton):
-    """A button that stops the current scan."""
-
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        QPushButton.__init__(self, parent=parent)
-
-        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
-        self.setText("Stop")
-        self.setStyleSheet("background-color:  #cc181e; color: white")
-        self.clicked.connect(self.stop_scan)
-
-    def stop_scan(self):
-        """Stop the scan."""
-        self.queue.request_scan_abortion()
-        self.queue.request_queue_reset()
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    import sys
-
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    widget = StopButton()
-    widget.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More
				`@@ -1 +0,0 @@`
				`from .stop_button.stop_button import StopButton`